Boston-area janitors union reaches contract deal; Harvard cafeteria workers set strike date

A union representing 13,000 Boston-area janitors and the organization representing local building owners reached a four-year contract deal tonight that will stave off a planned strike.

In a statement, the union, 32BJ SEIU, said:

The deal, subject to ratification by the members, provides a 12% increase in wages over the life of the contract and expands employer-paid healthcare to family members of full-time employees. Metro Boston janitors will make $20 an hour by the end of the contract. The agreement also moves the needle on full-time work in what is still a predominantly part-time industry and includes a new legal assistance benefit for all members.

The union representing cafeteria workers at Harvard, however, set Tuesday night as their deadline for reaching a contract with the university; if they can't come to terms on a deal the workers will go on strike Wednesday morning. A key sticking point: How much workers have to pay for health insurance.