MINNEAPOLIS – After making significant progress on core priorities including the use of green cleaning products, day shift cleaning, and full-time work, janitors at Marsden Building Maintenance today removed their strike authorization over unfair labor practices, and will continue to work towards a peaceful settlement for a new contract even as janitors at other major contractors are prepared to strike at any time.
The two sides have agreed to a renewed commitment on industry-leading green and sustainable initiatives, and a clear process that, when buildings choose to transition to day shift cleaning, will make such transitions seamless and successful.
“I work at Hennepin County Government Center, and I am proud that we are leading the way on saving energy by transitioning to day shift cleaning,” said Hamu Ebiso, a member of the union bargaining team. “We’re not done with Marsden negotiations, but we’re more than halfway there, and that is why we decided to withdraw our strike authorization.”
The janitors and Marsden have also agreed to a gradual transition towards 8-hour full-time jobs, and have made major strides to bring predictability and stability to the cleaning industry for janitors, buildings, and clients alike.
The breakthrough by janitors at Marsden comes as janitors at buildings cleaned by ABM and Harvard continue their preparations to walk off the job any day over their companies’ refusal to bargain in good faith. The companies will meet with janitors again today for only the 4th time this month, and continue to reject janitors’ proposals for good, green, full-time jobs.
“If Marsden can agree to use safer chemicals and move towards 8-hour full-time jobs, then so can ABM and Harvard,” said Bryant Thomas, a janitor at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, and a member of the union bargaining team. “We have done everything possible to avoid a strike, but the companies have continued to bargain in bad faith. If we’re forced to strike, we’re ready to strike so we can move forward for better jobs for our families.”
Janitors have been bargaining with the Minneapolis - Saint Paul Contract Cleaners Association since December, including ABM, FBG, Harvard, Mid-City, and Triangle. Janitors have been working without a contract since January 8.