Janitors and employers avert strike

by Brandt Williams, Minnesota Public Radio

Union janitors and their employers reached a tentative contract agreement. The 4200 janitors had threatened to strike unless the new contract included improved health care coverage.

Minneapolis, Minn. — Details of the new contract will be made available later Monday. But union officials say the contract agreement includes an affordable family health care plan.

A majority of janitors eligible for family health care are not enrolled in the plans offered by their employers. Union officials say the cost of those plans range from $400 to %1800 a month - often out of range for workers making an average of under $12.00 per hour.

Representatives for the 18 service contractors who employ the janitors say they have been affected by rising health care costs. The agreement comes after three months of negotiations.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 02/06/2007, 6:19 p.m.