Puget Sound janitors vote to ratify new contract

SEATTLE — Janitors throughout Puget Sound voted Saturday on the approval of a new contract.

About 3,000 janitors, members of SEIU Local 6 in Bellevue Redmond and Seattle, are affected by the four-year contract deal.

The new contract includes modest wage increases and protects the healthcare benefits.

"This is a victory for janitors, the economy and our community," said Govania Speight, a janitor and member of the bargaining team. "Our contract raises wages and preserves our healthcare coverage, ensuring that janitors stay on a path out of poverty, can contribute to the economy and help improve the quality of life for all our community."

The group’s old contract was expiring, and the approved contract affects janitors in Spokane and Tacoma. Their contracts expired on Saturday.

KIRO