Window cleaners win contract gains

The window cleaners unit unanimously ratified the contract April 28 with Columbia, Marsden, and MSI.

The agreement:

• Provides an immediate pay raise for journeymen with another guaranteed raise January 1, 2009.

• Reduces health insurance costs. Employee cost for single coverage dropped to $25 per month July 1 from as high as $210 previously. Family coverage dropped to $400 per month from as high as $600 previously. With these changes, the employer health insurance contribution will increase from $260 per month to as much as $500 per month.

• Increases employer pension contributions, disability pay, and life insurance.

Local 26, which also represents building janitors and security officers, reached landmark contracts for those workers last year and earlier this year.

Reprinted from the Minneapolis Labor Review.