SEIU Local 284 has reached a tentative agreement with the Anoka-Hennepin school district for a new contract for nearly 200 custodial, maintenance and grounds workers.

"We've got a membership information meeting set for May 31," reported Conrad Stroh, Local 284 contract organizer. "They'll be voting June 1 whether to accept or reject the offer."

Stroh said the bargaining team feels the agreement is "the best they can do" but the team stops short of recommending workers approve the proposed contract. Members twice have voted down previous proposals.

"We've got some adjustments made in areas of concern," Stroh said about the new terms.

The workers' contract expired in March 2005. If approved, the new agreement would run through March 2008.

Reprinted from the Minneapolis Labor Review.