New York City Office Cleaners Ratify Labor Deal

NEW YORK CITY-It’s official: the Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union has ratified a four-year contract with the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations on Friday morning. The deal—previously ratified by RAB’s board of directors at the beginning of January—guarantees a 5.6% wage increase, bonuses and the preservation of employer-paid health benefits for more than 22,000 commercial office cleaners across the five boroughs.

“This is a fair agreement with modest wage increases that will help the 22,000 building cleaners remain a part of the city’s middle class,” says Mike Fishman president of 32BJ SEIU, in a statement following the vote. “This contract will help workers support their families, and contribute to the growth of the economy.”