Denver-area janitors voted Thursday to authorize a possible strike as their labor contract nears expiration.
An estimated 150 janitors held a rally in downtown Denver, then voted almost unanimously to authorize a strike if a new contract can’t be negotiated.
The Service Employees International Union Local 105 represents about 2,300 janitors in metro Denver. Union workers clean offices in 95 percent of downtown buildings and also serve offices in the Denver Tech Center and throughout the metro area.
The union is seeking an average raise of about 25 cents an hour and better health-care benefits.
The contract expires at the end of June. Talks between union representatives and janitorial-firm negotiators representing 23 companies have taken place for four weeks and are scheduled through the end of next week.
“It’s been a little contentious at times,” said Josh Downey, political director for SEIU Local 105.
Current wages for union-represented janitors range from $9.50 to $11.60 an hour.
In a statement, the janitorial companies said, “We are committed to reaching an agreement that is fair for all parties, including both our employees and customers. We firmly believe that we can reach such an agreement.”
The companies include ABM Janitorial Services, GCA Services, Master Klean, Commercial Cleaning Systems, Roth Property Maintenance, System 1 and AFL Maintenance Group.
The strike authorization allows the janitors’ negotiating team to call for a strike vote as soon as July 2, if a contract is not reached. Thursday’s authorization votes were not formally tallied. The 150 demonstrators, voting on behalf of the full union, waved red cards to signify affirmative votes. Virtually all of the workers waved the cards.
In its 20-year campaign in Denver under the “Justice for Janitors” banner, the union never has struck, although it came close in 2003.
If a strike takes place, “offices tend to get dirty rather quickly,” Downey said. “It can be a very significant disruption in the workplace.”
The SEIU could ask for other unions to honor picket lines, which could affect trash pickup and other office-building services.
Eight janitorial companies have negotiators at the table. The remaining 15 firms that employ union workers have agreed to support the positions taken by company negotiators and abide by contract terms.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 or sraabe@denverpost.com
