Four hundred housekeeping and maintenance workers at VCU Health will see their hourly wages rise by $3.30 over the next three years under a contract ratified Saturday by the division of the Service Employees International Union that represents them. 

The contract covers environmental service cleaners, a group of workers responsible for cleaning patient rooms, washing hospital linens, cleaning surfaces and floors and handling trash, including the separation of biohazardous and regular waste. 

All of the workers are employed by Crothall Healthcare, which provides facilities management services to VCU Health. SEIU said negotiations with Crothall lasted three to four months. 

The $3.30 increase, which will occur over three years, represents a significant jump for many of the workers. Union spokeswoman Julie Karant said the lowest-paid employee the union represented earns $17 per hour. 

SEIU said the contract also includes provisions against unjust discipline and termination and establishes a grievance and arbitration process, as well as a joint committee of workers and managers.

A spokesperson for Crothall Healthcare said in an email that the company "couldn't be happier to reach this outcome for everyone."

"We have a long history of working productively with unions across the country and it has truly been a collaborative effort with SEIU 32BJ focused on supporting our valued employees at VCU Health now and in the future," the spokesperson wrote. "The ratification of this new agreement reflects the spirit of our partnership with the union in serving the hospital community."

The new agreement marks the second time the union has secured a raise for VCU workers, after cleaners employed through SSC Services for Education won a 35% pay increase in 2023 contract negotiations. 

While Virginia has long been a right-to-work state, meaning law prohibits workers from being required to join a union as a condition of their employment, unions have made significant inroads over the past five years. Among their recent victories was 2021 legislation that allowed public sector workers like municipal employees and teachers to bargain collectively. 

This story has been updated with a comment from Crothall Healthcare.

VCU is a sponsor of The Richmonder, but did not influence or review this story.