Showing their strength in numbers 1,200 essential union cleaners, members of SEIU 32BJ, in Pittsburgh stood together, took action and were getting ready to strike, if necessary. They knew they were in for a fight to continue to improve standards for cleaners. Cleaners - no matter what zip code they live in - should be able to provide for their families, especially after being there to keep cities clean and safe during the pandemic.
“We are the reason Downtown survived the pandemic and we will be the reason it comes back stronger than ever. This agreement feels like we’re getting the recognition we deserve for all our sacrifices,” said Steve Kelly, 32BJ SEIU member and office cleaner. “Working through the pandemic puts into perspective just how important we are. We showed up to work every day and kept downtown buildings safe and operational. But we made it through to the other side and together won a contract we can be proud of.”
These cleaners, who clean and maintain almost every major building in Pittsburgh - from the Central Business District to the Suburbs - now have a union contract that includes:
- Historic wage increases ranging from 16% to 21% over four years
- $1,650 bonus for members
- Improvements to pension benefits
- Protection of 100% employer-paid healthcare, which includes access to family coverage
- Juneteenth as a paid holiday
- 3rd week of vacation for Suburban members with 8 or more years of service
- Expanded anti-discrimination language to include accommodations for pregnant women
“We are literally on the front lines doing our part to keep the city clean and safe,” said Julie Ashade, 32BJ SEIU member and office cleaner. “We won a great contract that invests in us, now we need to finish the job by ensuring that the city, state and others continue to invest in infrastructure and programming for our Downtown community.”
The fight these cleaners - of all races and places - took shows us that when we stand together we can build a city that is inclusive, clean and green for all us.
