Walsh willing to lend a hand in janitor talks
Mayor Martin J. Walsh said he would not cross the picket line into some of Boston’s most iconic buildings if Boston janitors decide to strike after the union voted yesterday to walk out if a deal isn’t reached by Friday.
“Certainly, the janitors in Boston do vital work for our city,” Walsh told the Herald. “I support their work. I know every four to five years this happens. I’m hopeful they reach an agreement.”
Walsh, a former labor leader, added that he would “gladly get involved” and step in to help negotiate a settlement if necessary.
“I’m willing to do whatever we have to,” Walsh said. “I’d like to make sure we prevent labor unrest.”
Yesterday, the 32BJ SEIU which represents 13,000 janitors in the region, voted to authorize their bargaining committee to call a strike if they don’t reach agreement with the Maintenance Contractors Association New England by Friday, when the current contract expires.
“We don’t take the possibility of a strike lightly, but the workers who make Boston and New England strong are ready to do what it takes to protect their families,” said Roxana Rivera, vice president of 32BJ SEIU.
The janitors maintain nearly 2,000 office buildings in Greater Boston, including the John Hancock Tower, the Prudential Tower and the Vertex and Biogen buildings.
The janitors are demanding expanding employer-paid health care to family members for full-time workers and a cost of living wage increase and more full-time jobs for the primarily part-time jobs.
Management said it is confident that a deal can be reached.
“We believe real progress was made on economic issues like wages and health care. As a result, the MCNE believes today’s union strike vote is unnecessary,” said Matt Ellis, spokesman for the Maintenance Contractors of New England.
Ellis said MCNE has agreed to provide family health coverage with no employee contribution for all full-time employees and 2.24 percent wage increases each year for four years in Boston’s central business district that will bring wages up to $19.45 per hour by 2020.
“The MCNE is confident a fair and reasonable settlement can and be reached without a strike or the threat of one. We will return to the bargaining table on Tuesday with the goal of reaching an agreement that is fair and equitable,” Ellis said.