Tufts Janitors Reach Tentative Deal, Elect Not to Strike

MEDFORD, MA – Negotiations came down to the wire between janitors at Tufts University and their employer, with a tentative deal reached and a potential strike avoided mere hours before their contract was set to expire.

According to a statement from 32BJ SEIU, the union representing nearly 200 custodians at Tufts' Medford/Somerville campus, the agreement includes a wage increase of $21.55 per hour by 2020, more full-time work and improved pension and training.

Negotiations between the union and the school's contractor, C&W Services, began in August, independent of Tufts University.

"This is a good agreement that opens a path to the middle class for hardworking men and woman who are an indispensable part of the Tufts community," said Roxana Rivera, vice president of 32BJ SEIU, in a statement.

Last week, the janitors authorized their union to strike if no deal was reached by the time their contract expired; Monday night's agreement came at 10 p.m., two hours before the midnight deadline.

According to a spokesperson from 32BJ SEIU, the deal must still be ratified by union members this week.

By Daderot (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons