Philadelphia, PA – A tentative agreement was reached today between the Philadelphia School District and 32BJ of Service Employees International Union, pending approval by the union’s members on July 20, 2012. Under the four-year agreement that saves thousands of jobs, blue-collar workers will make direct contributions to keep schools open and to help the District solve budgetary problems. The agreement must be approved by the School Reform Commission and ratified by the members of 32BJ, after which further details will be released.

“This agreement will help keep public schools open, provide a clean and safe learning environment for our kids and saves jobs for thousands of hard-working men and women,” said George Ricchezza, District 1201 Leader for 32BJ SEIU.

The school workers provide a variety of critical services that keep schools running and children safe, including making emergency repairs to school roofs, air conditioning and floors. They also contribute to the area’s economy, with their salaries alone adding almost $100,000 million per year to the economy.

32BJ represents more than 10,000 workers employed in K-12 school districts—including in Philadelphia, New York City, and other districts throughout New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. With more than 120,000 members—including 10,000 in the Philadelphia area—32BJ is the largest property services union in the country.