FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Saturday, January 28, 2012

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Eugenio H. Villasante 646-286-1087

Maia Davis 201-396-4444

http://www.standwithbuildingworkers.org

NEW HAVEN AREA OFFICE CLEANERS RATIFY NEW CONTRACT THAT AVERTED STRIKE

- Union Members Approve Four-Year Contract That Protects Health Care and Gives Yearly Raises to Building Cleaners –

New Haven, CT – New Haven area office cleaners have ratified a new contract that averted a strike which potentially could have affected about two dozen corporateand government in the city in addition to 125 buildings in the Hartford area. Members voted unanimously over the weekend to approve an agreement that preserves healthcare coverage and raises wages over the four years by 13 percent. A separate contract for Hartford members that raised their wages 10 percent over four years was ratified on January 7.

“This is a fair agreement with modest wage increases that will help the cleaners in the New Haven. Our members are working two and three jobs to try and keep their headsabove water in one of the most expensive regions in the country,” said Kurt Westby, Connecticut State Director for 32BJ SEIU and chief negotiator for the union on this contract. “These hard-working men and women have stood up for the wages they need to support their families and our economy.”

32BJ represents a total of 2,000 building cleaners in the New Haven and Hartford areas. They clean nearly 150 buildings including some of Connecticut’s most important corporate centers and landmark buildings such as City Hall, Long Wharf Maritime Center, and One Century Tower and the State Capitol, Travelers’ Tower and Wesleyan University in Hartford.

Talks between the union and the Hartford Area Cleaning Contractors Association, which represents cleaning companies in both New Haven and Hartford, had begun in mid-November and concluded on the night of December 28th, barely three days before expiration. A breakthrough came after several leading elected officials, including New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, who urged both sides to find common ground and reach an agreement that was fair to workers.

“I was proud to stand with our hardworking building cleaners in their struggle for decent wages and benefits,” New Haven Mayor John DeStefano said. “I added my voice because as elected officials, we must show both labor and management that we expect a fair, mutual settlement that works for both sides. This contract does that.”

Other elected officials who had taken a public stand in support of the workers during the course of negotiations included Governor Dannel Malloy, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, and U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro and John Larson, State Senator John Fonfara of Hartford, New Britain Mayor Tim O’Brien, and Hartford City Council Members Larry Deutsch, Luis Cotto and Cynthia Jennings.

With more than 120,000 members in eight states and Washington, D.C., including 4,500 in Connecticut, 32BJ SEIU is the largest union of property service workers in the country.

The four-year agreement with the Realty Advisory Board (RAB) provides a 5.6% wage increase over the life of the contract and bonuses totaling $1,100.00. The agreement also maintains fully employer-paid family health care coverage.

“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,” said Mike Fishman President of 32BJ SEIU. “This contract will help workers support their families, and contribute to the growth of the economy.”

New York City office building workers clean and maintain major buildings and locations including the Rockefeller Center, the MetLife Building, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Station, Port Authority, and the Time Warner Center.

With more than 120,000 members, including 70,000 in New York, 32BJ is the largest property service workers union in the country and the largest private-sector union in the state.

Matt Nerzig: 212-539-2882
Ana Maria Cruz: 212-539-2793

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Friday, January 27^th, 2012

NEW YORK CITY OFFICE CLEANERS RATIFY NEW CONTRACT PROVIDING WAGE INCREASES, MAINTAINING FAMILY HEALTH CARE AND PROTECTING 22,000 GOOD JOBS

New York, NY —New York City office cleaners ratified a four-year agreement with the Realty Advisory Board (RAB) Tuesday that provides a 5.6% wage increase over the life of the contract and bonuses totaling $1,100.00. The also agreement maintains fully employer-paid family health care coverage.

“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,” said Mike Fishman President of 32BJ SEIU. “This contract will help workers support their families, and contribute to the growth of the economy.”

The contract, set to expire in 2015, also calls for the establishment of a joint 32BJ-real estate industry project to promote economic development and good jobs. The project, which will be guided by directors from both 32BJ and the real estate industry, will explore ways for the union and the industry to work together to advance robust and responsible development in New York City.

New York City office building workers clean and maintain major buildings and locations including the Rockefeller Center, the MetLife Building, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Station, Port Authority, and the Time Warner Center.With more than 120,000 members, including 70,000 in New York, 32BJ is the largest property service workers union in the country and the largest private-sector union in the state.

For more information, visit www.standwithbuildingworkers.org .

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Julie Karant: 646-584-9001

Eugenio H. Villasante: 646-285-1087

http://www.standwithbuildingworkers.org

SUBURBAN OFFICE CLEANERS RATIFY NEW 4-YEAR CONTRACT IMPROVING WAGES FOR 1,200 WORKERS

Contract to Help Boost Economy and Ensure Quality Service for Tenants

Norristown, PA – Commercial office cleaners in suburban Philadelphia have voted overwhelmingly to ratify new four-year contract covering 1,200 workers that provides cleaners with an average yearly wage increase of over 3.6%.

“This contract will help 1,200 office cleaners in suburban Philly continue to move out of poverty and have a chance at the American Dream,” said Wayne MacManiman, 32BJ Mid-Atlantic Director. “These hard-working men and women have stood up for the wages they need to support their families and our economy.”

Over the next four years, cleaners will see their average yearly pay increase from $10.80 per hour to $12.35 per hour.

Negotiations for a new contract covering more than 1,200 commercial office cleaners in suburban Philadelphia began on November 30^th between 32BJ and leaders representing companies including Shellville Facility Services, Allan Industries, Inc. and Interstate Building Maintenance Corporation.

Cleaners authorized their union’s bargaining committee to call a strike, if necessary if an agreement wasn’t reached by January 16^th at 12:01AM.

More than 60,000 property service workers from Hartford, Conn., to Virginia have secured new contracts that raise wage and benefit standards.

With more than 120,000 members in nine states, including 10,000 in the Philadelphia area, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.

# # #

A packet with a ballot and a copy of the tentative agreement was mailed to you yesterday. You should receive it within the next few days.

• Commercial Contract 2011 Summary Brochure [Download Full Color PDF English/Spanish]
• A Message from Mike Fishman [Download PDF English/Spanish]
• Stipulation of Agreement [24 pages, Download PDF: English | Spanish]
• Ballot and return envelope.

Mark your ballot. Place it in the return envelope. And mail it today. All ballots must be received by Monday, January 23rd at 5pm. Ballots will be counted on January 24.

Your vote is important. If you do not receive your ballot in the mail by Tuesday, January 17, come to the Member Walk-in Center on the 5th floor of 32BJ’s headquarters at 25 West 18 Street in Manhattan. Please call 212-388-3800 if you have questions.

*Includes cost of paid time off, including vacation & holidays

For More Information:

Maia Davis:  201-396-4444

Eugenio Villasante: 212-539-2940

For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

NEW JERSEY BUILDING CLEANERS RATIFY NEW FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT PROTECTING 7,000 GOOD JOBS

‪-  Improved Wages Will Help Working Families and the State’s Economy -

Newark, N.J.  —New Jersey’s office building cleaners have ratified a new four-year contract that protects the healthcare coverage of more than 7,000 workers and raises their wages by 13 percent over the life of the contract. The ratification votes came in meetings at 10 locations around the state, from Paterson to Morristown to Trenton, with the last in Newark and Jersey City this afternoon. Building cleaners at all  the meetings overwhelmingly approved an agreement reached December 27^th between the 32BJ Bargaining Committee and the New Jersey Contractors Association, which represents building cleaning companies.

“This new contract is an important victory not just for New Jersey building cleaners and their families, but also for our economy and our state,” said Kevin Brown, New Jersey State Director for 32BJ. “By raising wages and preserving healthcare coverage, this agreement helps thousands of working families stay on a path out of poverty and keeps our economy on the road to recovery. When working families have more income, they buy more, the economy churns more, and the quality of working families’ lives improves.”

Building cleaners represented by 32BJ clean more than 400 office buildings around the state, including prominent properties along the Hudson waterfront and in Newark. Major owners of commercial buildings cleaned by 32BJ members include high-profile companies such as Hartz Mountain, Johnson & Johnson, and Merck. Cleaning contractors include some of the biggest in the nation and the state, such as American Building Maintenance (ABM), Allan Industries and CRS Facility Services.

“These are the kind of good jobs that New Jersey needs to help families and ensure our state’s future prosperity,” said Larry Engelstein, 32BJ Assistant to the President. “This contract shows what working people can achieve when they stand together for fair treatment and decent wages.”

# # #

With more than 120,000 members in eight states and Washington, D.C., including 9,000 in New Jersey, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.

For more information, visit www.StandWithBuildingWorkers.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Monday, January 9, 2012

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Julie Karant: 646-584-9001

Eugenio H. Villasante: 646-285-1087

http://www.standwithbuildingworkers.org

NEW CONTRACT FOR 1,200 OFFICE CLEANERS SECURES WAGE INCREASES FOR NEXT FOUR YEARS

Strike Averted before Expiration

Norristown, PA – The 32BJ SEIU Bargaining Committee has announced a tentative agreement on a four-year contract, subject to ratification, covering 1,200 commercial office cleaners in suburban Philadelphia that provides cleaners with an average yearly wage increase of over 3.6%. Union members must still ratify the tentative agreements.

“This is a win-win agreement that benefits businesses, workers and tenants alike,” said Wayne MacManiman, 32BJ Mid-Atlantic Director. “Helping hard-working men and women better support their families and their communities is a critical step towards our economic recovery.”

Over the next four years, cleaners will see their average yearly pay increase from $10.80 per hour to $12.35 per hour.

Negotiations for a new contract covering more than 1,200 commercial office cleaners in suburban Philadelphia began on November 30^th between 32BJ and leaders representing companies including Shellville Facility Services, Allan Industries, Inc. and Interstate Building Maintenance Corporation.

Cleaners authorized their union’s bargaining committee to call a strike, if necessary if an agreement wasn’t reached by January 16^th at 12:01AM.

More than 60,000 property service workers from Hartford, Conn., to Virginia have secured new contracts that raise wage and benefit standards.

With more than 120,000 members in nine states, including 10,000 in the Philadelphia area, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.

# # #

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

  Kwame Patterson 212-388-3676

  Matt Nerzig               212-539-2882

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Monday, January 9, 2012

HUDSON VALLEY & FAIRFIELD COUNTY OFFICE CLEANERS RATIFY NEW CONTRACT

 - Union Members Approve Four-Year Contract That Gives Yearly Raises to Building Cleaners -

White Plains, NY —Office building cleaners from Hudson Valley in New York and Fairfield County in Connecticut have ratified a four-year agreement that provides a nearly 13% wage increase over the life of the agreement. The new contract also provides affordable health care coverage and increases the number of full-time job opportunities.

“Our members are working two and three jobs to try and keep their heads above water in one of the most expensive regions in the country,” said John Santos, 32BJ Hudson Valley Regional Director. “This contract will help them support their families, and contribute to the growth of the economy.”

“This is a fair agreement with modest wage increases that will help the 3,300 building cleaners in the area continue to move out of poverty and have a chance at the American Dream,” said Kurt Westby, Connecticut State Director for 32BJ SEIU.

Members voted unanimously over the weekend to approve the agreement. The new four-year contract – which is between 32BJ and area cleaning contractors such as American Building Maintenance (ABM), A & A Maintenance, and Temco – is set to expire in 2015.

32BJ members clean prominent buildings in Fairfield County including the University of Connecticut, the UBS Building, the RBS Building, Norwalk Community College and Fairfield University. In Hudson Valley, the list includes the Morgan Stanley Building and both the Galleria and Westchester Malls.

There are approximately 1,700 commercial cleaners in Hudson Valley and more than 1,500 in Fairfield County. Employers, building owners and managers began negotiations with the union in early November.

With more than 120,000 members unionwide and over 5,800 living in Hudson Valley and Fairfield combined, 32BJ is the largest property services union in the country. For more information, visit www.standwithbuildingworkers.org .

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Maia Davis:  212-388-3696; 201-396-4444

Eugenio Villasante: 212-539-2940

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Monday, January 9, 2012

HARTFORD AREA OFFICE CLEANERS RATIFY NEW CONTRACT THAT AVERTED STRIKE

 - Union Members Approve Four-Year Contract That Protects Health Care and Gives Yearly Raises to Building Cleaners  -

Hartford CT– Hartford area office cleaners have ratified a new contract that averted a strike which potentially could have affected 125 corporate, government and university buildings in the city and its suburbs. Members voted unanimously over the weekend to approve an agreement that preserves healthcare coverage and raises wages over the four years by 10 percent. A separate contract for New Haven members that would raise their wages 13 percent over four years is scheduled for a ratification vote on January 21.

“This is a fair agreement with modest wage increases that will help the 1,600 building cleaners in the Hartford area continue to move out of poverty and have a chance at the American Dream,” said Kurt Westby, Connecticut State Director for 32BJ SEIU and chief negotiator for the union on this contract. “Our members are struggling to meet essential expenses for housing, heating bills, food and transportation. This contract will help them to meet those expenses, support their families, and contribute to the growth of Connecticut’s economy.”

32BJ represents a total of 2,000 building cleaners in the Hartford and New Haven areas. They clean nearly 150 buildings including some of Connecticut’s most important corporate centers and landmark buildings such as the State Capitol, Travelers’ Tower and Wesleyan University. In New Haven, the list includes City Hall, Long Wharf Maritime Center, and One Century Tower.

Talks between the union and the Hartford Area Cleaning Contractors Association, which represents cleaning companies in both Hartford and New Haven, had begun in mid-November and concluded on the night of December 28th, barely three days before expiration. A breakthrough came after several leading elected officials urged both sides to find common ground and reach an agreement that was fair to workers. They were: Governor Dannel Malloy, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, and U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro and John Larson. Other elected officials who had taken a public stand in support of the workers during the course of negotiations included: State Senator John Fonfara of Hartford, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, New Britain Mayor Tim O’Brien, and Hartford City Council Members Larry Deutsch, Luis Cotto and Cynthia Jennings.

# # #

With more than 120,000 members in eight states and Washington, D.C., including 4,500 in Connecticut, 32BJ SEIU is the largest union of property service workers in the country.

• 

  Pay raises averaging 13% statewide and new rates for 300 members in South Jersey.

• EXPANDED PENSION & RETIREMENT SECURITY: Our pension benefit now covers part-time workers in Newark & the Hudson Waterfront.
• MAINTAINED HEALTH CARE and kept health insurance 100% employer-paid.
• IMPROVEMENTS TO PROTECT VACATION PAY
• EXPANDED BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: A member can now take bereavement leave upon the death of his/her domestic partner and grandparents.
• GREATER PROTECTIONS REGARDING BUILDING TRANSFERS
• BACKGROUND CHECK PROTECTION: Written customer notice must be provided to the union prior to background checks.
• PROTECTIONS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL CUSTODIANS

Download the flier here

Ratification votes will be on:

January 7

Elizabeth 12 Noon
St. Mary of the Assumption
155 Washington Avenue, Basement
Elizabeth, NJ

Morristown 2pm
Morristown Neighborhood Center
12 Flager Street
Morristown, NJ

New Brunswick 1 pm
Christ Church
5 Paterson Street, St. Nicholas Room
New Brunswick, NJ

Paterson 4pm
Paterson Museum
2 Market Street
Paterson, NJ

Perth Amboy 1:30 pm
Our Lady of Fatima Church
380 Smith Street
Perth Amboy, NJ

Plainfield 5:30pm
Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
716 Watchung Avenue, Assembly Room 1
Plainfield, NJ

Red Bank 10am
St. Anthony of Padua
121 Bridge Avenue
Red Bank, NJ
Trenton 3pm
Mercer County Community College
North Road & Academy Street, Room KC223
Trenton, NJ

January 10

Jersey City 3 pm
Grace Church Van Vorst
39 Erie Street, Gymnasium
Jersey City, NJ

Newark 3 pm
The Newark Public Library
5 Washington Street (Auditorium 4FL)
Newark, NJ