SEIU Local 1 Janitors Ratify New Kansas City Janitorial Contract Affecting ~800 Working Families

KANSAS CITY, MO — Recently, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 janitors who service over 150 buildings in Kansas City, MO and Jackson County voted to ratify a strong new contract covering around 800 essential janitors who take care of our most iconic public spaces – from Crown Center to Union Station to City Hall. This victory for Kansas City working families comes after weeks of actions and rallies.

The 3-year contract includes three years of guaranteed raises, increased paid leave and additional protections around use of that paid leave, improved bereavement leave, and language protecting workers’ reassignment rights. Now, Local 1 members can do the janitorial work that has a direct impact on the health, productivity, and satisfaction of the tenants and residents who use these buildings throughout Kansas City, while knowing they are earning the wages and respect working people deserve.

“I couldn’t be more proud of my fellow janitors and the new contract we won,” said Ernesto Rodriguez, Local 1 janitor in Kansas City for 6 years. “Working people like us are struggling to make ends meet. But with this new contract, we are able to have a little more breathing room when having to pay our bills.”

“Local 1 essential janitors throughout Kansas City and Jackson County were active for months to ensure a fair contract was won,” said Chris Rak, SEIU Local 1 Vice President and Missouri Director . “Local 1 is a proud member-led Union and these essential janitors, along with the support from local elected officials and community groups, showed just how powerful working people can be when they are united.”