Twin Cities Janitors Rally Amid Contract Negotiations

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A day before they return to the bargaining table, dozens of Twin Cities janitors are holding a rally to renew their call for higher wages.

About 4,000 members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have been working without a contract since December. Union members marched into the U.S. Bank Plaza atrium Thursday, trying to put pressure on the building owners who hire the cleaning companies.

While police were there, the protest remained peaceful. The janitors are asking for raises that would move both full-time and part-time janitors to $15 an hour, add more sick days, and workload restrictions.

The cleaning companies say they have offered to move full-time janitors to $15 an hour within two years, but not part-time workers. They also said employees working under the agreement will receive a benefits package that is well above the Twin Cities average.