Window cleaners win new contract; lockout ends (3 dead in 3 years locked out over safety complaints)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4434

MINNEAPOLIS - After a week of being locked out of work, after daily picket lines and civil disobedience, window cleaners in Service Employees International Union Local 26 won a new contract, the union announced.

Window cleaners voted late Thursday to ratify the new pact. Employers ended a week-long lockout of some 60 cleaners Friday morning and many returned to work at 7 a.m., the union said.

The union said the new, five-year contract “makes significant steps forward” on key issues:

• Better safety standards
• A union controlled Taft-Hartley training fund
• $3 wage raise over 5 years
• Increases to the pension fund

“We absolutely couldn't have won this without all of you,” the union said in a message to supporters. “Thank you for joining us on our picket lines and marches and sending emails to property managers.

FULL story and videos at link.