An estimated 350 janitors marched through downtown Denver on Friday to draw attention to their expiring contract with janitorial contracting firms.
The group stopped traffic at Broadway and 16th Street briefly before dispersing.
The Service Employees International Union Local 105 represents about 2,300 janitors in the Denver metro area. Union workers clean offices in 95 percent of downtown buildings and also serve offices in the Denver Tech Center and throughout the city.
The janitors’ contract expires at 11:59 p.m. Saturday. Workers could take a strike vote as early as Monday.
Negotiations between union representatives and janitorial firms have been ongoing for five weeks. More talks are scheduled for Saturday.
Janitors are seeking an average wage increase of 25 cents an hour and better health-care benefits. Janitorial firms said in a statement that they are “committed to reaching an agreement that is fair for all parties, including both our employees and customers.” Steve Raabe, The Denver Post
