HOUSTON (AP) — Union officials say a tentative four-year agreement has been reached with hundreds of striking janitors in Houston.
Authorities say the janitors will vote Saturday on the deal that would increase wages 12 percent, to about $9.35 an hour.
Nearly 500 janitors went on strike July 10 for better wages and increased benefits. Their contract expired May 31.
The agreement was announced in a statement Wednesday night on behalf of the unions, including the Service Employees International Union Local 1.
President Tom Balanoff says the agreement with janitors brings hope to security officers, airport workers and others trapped by what he calls "poverty wages."
The SEIU represents about 3,200 hundred Houston-area janitors.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
