Justice for Janitors: Milwaukee custodial workers rally for higher wages

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Ahead of their 2024 contract negotiations, Milwaukee janitors are demanding higher wages and better benefits.

Custodial workers rallied at Zeidler Union Square Park Tuesday, June 11. 

Organizers with their union say contract negotiations usually start with a 10-cent raise. But in the face of inflation and post-pandemic working conditions, they say they need dollars, not cents.

"They need more than 10 cents. The cost of living has gone up, everything has doubled in price, 15.40 is not covering your daily basic needs. We want people to have one job, we don't want people to have two or three jobs just to pay their basic necessities," said Clarissa Acevedo, Service Employees International Union. 

The janitors' union will begin their contract negotiations later this month.