SF janitors reach contract deal, avoiding strike

A tentative agreement to raise wages was reached Wednesday evening between a union representing thousands of San Francisco janitors and the cleaning companies that employ them, preventing a strike amid tense negotiations, union leaders said.

The mayor’s office stepped in to assist negotiations between Local 87 of the Service Employees International Union, which represents 3,500 janitors in the city, and a group of janitorial services that includes ABM Industries, officials said.

More than 1,000 janitors waited outside of City Hall holding union banners during talks between the organizations Wednesday evening.

The union also wanted to maintain a low co-pay on health care plans and decent dental coverage, which it also received in the new contract, he said.

Union representatives said workers also will get an increase in what their employers contribute to their pension funds and a stronger employee grievance process.

The contract covers about 85 percent of the union members who clean downtown office buildings, including those of Airbnb, Uber and The Chronicle, union officials said.