Broadway cleaners voted to authorize a strike Tuesday amid negotiations over a new contract.
The strike vote marks the first time the more than 250 cleaners, who are a part of the 32BJ of Service Employees International Union, have voted to authorize a strike in 18 years. Talks with the Broadway League, which represents their employers, the theater owners ATG, Nederlander, Shubert and Circle in the Square, are ongoing, but the Broadway cleaners say the two parties are still far apart on several issues, and the current contract has expired.
The union is asking for wage increases that keep pace with the cost of living, improved pension benefits and healthcare, better working conditions and paid leave and strengthened anti-discrimination measures. The strike authorization vote does not necessarily mean a strike will happen, but gives the union the option to call a strike if necessary, and is often used as a show of force amid negotiations.
Speaking ahead of the vote, and a rally in front of the Shubert Organization offices, 32BJ SEIU Executive Vice President Denis Johnston, said the two parties, who have been negotiating since early June, are at odds over wages, in particular. This is of particular importance to union members, who were unemployed while the theaters were closed during the pandemic, and then did not see wage increases for several years after, and are facing a high cost of living.
