More than 500 janitors and groundskeepers employed by the University of Miami’s cleaning contractor, ABM, have reached a tentative contract agreement to avert a strike, the union said Friday.
According to the agreement, members of the 32BJ SEIU union will receive higher wages, thousands of dollars in bonuses, access to the 32BJ Legal Fund and a limited number of subsidized parking spots, as well as keep 100% employer-paid healthcare.
“Seventeen years ago, I went on a hunger strike for 17 days so we could win our union,” said Elsa Rodriguez, ABM Janitor and 32BJ Bargaining Committee Member, in a statement. “This agreement honors that sacrifice.”
The new contract, said union officials, comes after weeks of negotiations and an Aug. 18 rally where members unanimously voted to authorize a