News

Janitor Strike in Detroit Averted

Janitors who clean downtown buildings and schools in Detroit, MI, have ratified a new contract that will ensure them at least US$15 per hour within the next three years, the Detroit Metro News reports.

The janitors, who are members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), voted last week to strike if their demands were not met when their old contract expired July 31. Under the old contract, some janitors were making $9.45 per hour. SEIU, which represents more than 1,700 janitors and custodial workers in Detroit, launched a “One Detroit” campaign seeking a $15 minimum hourly wage and union rights for janitors, facility management professionals, security officers, arena workers, fast food workers, and airport workers.