The Los Angeles City Council on March 28 unanimously adopted a resolution urging janitorial contractors and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) janitors to reach a negotiated settlement as the existing master contract neared its March 31 expiration.

The resolution was introduced by Council member Goldberg and carried to the full council under a special-rule finding because negotiators were working under an imminent deadline. Union leaders and janitors described offers from contractors they said amounted to wage freezes and reductions in benefits. "Our people represent Los Angeles' working poor... Most of who are janitors live under the federal poverty line," John Barton of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor told the council.

Mike Garcia, president of the janitors union negotiating committee, said contractors were offering "a wage freeze for 5 years," which he called "absolutely unacceptable," and said the union was preparing for a strike if a fair contract was not reached. Janitor Maria Cuevas described sitting through multiple negotiation sessions and said members were prepared to "fight and struggle" to win wage increases and sick days.

The council adopted Goldberg's resolution urging owners and contractors to negotiate in good faith and to reach a settlement that preserves wages and benefits for approximately 8,500 janitors who clean commercial buildings in Los Angeles. Several council members said the city did not have authority to impose a contract but could use its voice to encourage a settlement.

Why it matters: The contract covers thousands of building-service workers whose wages and benefits affect low-income families across the city. A strike could disrupt cleaning services in commercial buildings and increase public attention on labor and wages.

What happens next: The resolution is a formal expression of council support for a negotiated settlement; council members urged both sides to reach agreement and to continue negotiating.