Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Broadway cleaners, represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ, have reached a tentative agreement with theater owners.
Members across more than 30 venues voted in late June to authorize a potential work stoppage if the Broadway League refused to settle a fair contract. Highlights of the agreement include a $5 per hour wage increase, improvement to defined benefit pension, health care coverage safeguards, strengthened anti-discrimination protections and more.
“We risked our lives during COVID to make sure Broadway could safely reopen,” said Martha Aristizabal, a porter at the Ambassador Theatre. “We work long nights and weekends, often missing major milestones with family and loved ones, to do the hard work it takes to put on each and every performance. This victory honors all that we’ve put in over the years. By winning wage and pension increases, improving paid leave, and protecting our health care, we can dedicate more to taking care of ourselves and enjoying time with the people we care about.”