Silicon Valley service providers were able to avoid a janitorial strike that could have impacted Google, Facebook and other tech giants, according to reports Tuesday.
Janitors at several prominent tech companies hoped to use an expiring labor contract to earn better wages and benefits. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), however, struggled to reach a new contract that would cover several service providers in the area. The janitors voted April 23 to authorize their bargaining committee to declare a strike.
SEIU United Service Workers West spokesman Stephen Boardman confirmed 90 percent of janitors voted Monday night to ratify an agreement, reports the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Janitors were originally schedule to vote Monday on whether to strike but the service providers and unions reached a potential deal Sunday.
A strike was likely to occur as early as May 7 if a contract was not agreed upon in time. Boardman said the new contract will include an increase in wages, added healthcare coverage and additional workplace protections. Janitors will see their wages gradually increase from an average of $14.24 an hour to $16.50 by 2019.
SEIU United Service Workers West has been rigorously negotiating new contracts for janitors across the state.
Minneapolis, Minn., was hit with a strike Feb. 18 after city officials and the SEIU Local 26 were unable to agree on a new labor contract. New Jersey narrowly avoided a strike Dec. 23 when it reached a labor contract at the last minute.
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