SEIU Local 1 Chicagoland Commercial Janitors Ratify New Contracts Covering 8,000 Members – Best Contracts in Union History
New 3-year agreements guarantee annual raises, protect healthcare coverage and put $100 million into communities across the region
CHICAGO, IL - Over 8,000 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 commercial janitors throughout Chicagoland unanimously ratified 3-year contracts after weeks of negotiations. Following the COVID-19 pandemic facing unprecedented challenges in the industry and workplace, Local 1 janitors who kept the public clean and safe won the largest wage increases in Local 1 history in the commercial market. In addition to strong wage increases, Local 1 janitors were able to secure benefits that allow for working families to plan for their future and laid the groundwork for building a Chicago that works for all of us.
Two contracts – one covering 3,000 janitors in downtown Chicago that were negotiated with the Building Owners and Management Association (BOMA) and another covering 5,000 janitors in the Chicago suburbs that were negotiated with janitorial contractors – were both unanimously ratified on Saturday with thousands of workers casting their votes. After an unprecedented campaign following the pandemic – Local 1 janitors were ready to meet the moment and do whatever it took to protect the work, build for the future and be a part of the solution to a reimagined Chicago.
The victory comes after Local 1 janitors diligently marched, rallied and took public action in downtown and the surrounding suburbs in the weeks leading up to the April 7 contract expiration. Elected officials, community allies, labor leaders throughout the city, and sister locals across the nation participated in actions and vocalized support for Local 1 janitors. The city of Chicago and workers nationwide stood with SEIU Local 1 janitors.
The BOMA Collective Bargaining Agreement guarantees:
Annual raises of $1.50 in the first year, $0.75 in the second and third year;
Over the life of the contract, janitors will make an extra $14,040 with a total wage increase of 15%.
100% employer-paid healthcare;
Additional paid personal/sick day
Juneteenth as an additional floating holiday
Increased employer contributions to pension plans so Local 1 commercial janitors can retire with dignity.
The Suburban Contractors Collective Bargaining Agreement guarantees:
Annual raises of $1.25 in the first year, $0.75 in the second year and $1.20 in the third year;
Over the life of the contract, janitors will make an extra $13,416 with a total wage increase of 19%.
100% paid-for healthcare with no rise in insurance costs;
Two additional paid personal days and the addition of Juneteenth to holidays
Increased employer contributions to 401k plans
“We have negotiated for weeks, and we have won the best BOMA Commercial janitorial contract in the history of SEIU Local 1,” said Local 1 Downtown Janitor and Executive Board member Urszula Przybys. “I have worked hard for over 30 years, to be able to earn a good pension, and I’m happy that our bargaining team has won a pension that will protect my future, as well as the future of all other members that will be retiring soon.”
“For me and many of my Local 1 brothers and sisters, healthcare is a main priority,” said Local 1 Downtown Janitor Carla Parker. “The pandemic demonstrated to all of us how important our health and safety is for ourselves and our families. There is a sense of relief knowing we have accessible and affordable healthcare.”
“As part of the negotiation team, I am proud of the contract we fought so hard to win. This is a strong and fair contract that would not be possible without us standing together – suburban and downtown janitors together.” said Local 1 Suburban Janitor Magdalena Muñoz. “We won historic wage increases, protected our healthcare, and now we can start planning for our future.”
“Today is a historic day for the Local 1 janitors who fought for weeks to ensure they got the contract they deserved,” said Local 1 President Genie Kastrup. “Thousands of commercial janitors valiantly worked through the pandemic while everyone else stayed home. These essential commercial janitors sacrificed their lives and the lives of their families, to bring a sense of normalcy to the Chicagoland area at a time when that’s all people desired – to feel normal again. Local 1 janitors demonstrated what a worker-led movement should strive to be and I am so proud of their fight, this victory and the future.”
