New Haven Independent

The four-year pact, announced Monday, is between a union organizing local janitors and the owners of about 10 million square feet of commercial space in Greater New Haven. Full-timers will see their minimum pay rise to $10.50 an hour by the contract’s end. The pact also gives full-timers health insurance — and increases workers’ hours so more can become full-timers.

The buildings include One Century Tower, at Church and Grove; 195 and 157 Church St.; 300 George St.; 370 Bassett St; and 155 Long Wharf.

The union, Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, launched its campaign early this year on the heels of successful drives in Hartford and Fairfield County. Union members formed an alliance with New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, whose gubernatorial campaign they visibly supported.

In a press release, DeStefano called the new pact “wonderful news for these hard-working families.”

“By standing together these workers have made a powerful and simple statement: work should pay,” the mayor stated. “I commend them for their courage and commitment to improving the lives of their families and this community. We all want our children to have the chance to do better than we did - it is the definition of middle class - that’s what this contract is all about.”