City announces contract agreement between school custodians and public school cleaners and handypersons

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School custodians and public school cleaners and handypersons have a new agreement, according to the mayor’s office.

Sunday, the Bill de Blasio administration announced a contract agreement that was reached between Local 891 School Custodians and 32BJ cleaners and handypersons. The cleaners and handypersons work primarily in the city’s public schools, but they are not employees of the city. Local 891 School Custodians serves as the individual employer.

The agreement covers nine years, from Oct. 22, 2007 through Oct. 21, 2016.

“This agreement between Local 891 and 32BJ public school cleaners and handypersons means yet another step forward in ensuring respectful and productive relationships with the employees who serve New York City and its people,” said de Blasio in a statement. “By conforming with the established pattern, including guaranteed health savings, this agreement is affordable for the city and its taxpayers, while still providing workers with the fair wages they deserve.”

The agreement includes 18 percent in raises over the term of the contract and a $1,000 bonus, as well as the required health savings that will offset the contract’s cost. The settlement between the two parties conforms with the pattern accounted for in City Hall’s adopted budget and labor reserve, so there are no new costs for the city as part of this agreement.

“I am pleased that the collective bargaining process has brought about a fair wage increase for the hardworking members of Local 32BJ,” said Robert J.Troeller, president and business manager of Local 891 International Union of Operating Engineers, in a statement. “The custodial workers in the public schools have worked far too long without an increase. Due to numerous budget cuts, these workers have become increasingly productive. It’s good to see these men and woman recognized and rewarded for their work.”

The agreement also maintains existing benefits for the close to 5,000 full-time equivalent school cleaners and handypersons, with the gross cost of the deal at $211.1 million. That cost will be partially offset by approximately $21 million in guaranteed health savings, which results in a net cost of $190.2 million.