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 30th 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 16th 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.