News

Actions

Thousands of Detroit janitors ready to strike if they don't get $15/hour wage

Posted at 1:51 PM, Jul 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-24 13:51:45-04

Thousands of Detroit janitors are ready to strike if their wages aren't increased to $15 per hour. If that happens, the cleaning staff for major Detroit skyscrapers will walk off the job.

The janitors' contract expires on July 31, meaning on Aug. 1, hundreds of workers could be walking off the job in 500 Detroit schools, Detroit Metro Airport and some of Detroit's iconic buildings. That includes the Guardian Building, Chrylser House, Compuware building and much more.

On Monday night, the union announced that members voted to authorize a strike if their wages don't go up to $15 per hour.

The janitors have been cleaning the building for years at a rate of $9.25 per hour. At a wage of under $10 an hour, the Service Employees International Union, said many workers rely on public assistance to make ends meet.