MINNEAPOLIS - Twin Cities janitors are walking off their jobs in a 24-hour strike.

Janitors at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport were the first workers to walk off the job Wednesday. About two dozen people with pickets stood outside the airport.

About 4,000 janitors represented by Service Employees International Union Local 26 could participate in the job action. More demonstrations were scheduled for later in the day.

The union says employee workloads and a $15 hourly wage for all workers remain major sticking points.

John Nesse, a negotiator for the Minneapolis-St. Paul Contract Cleaners Association, says the union workers already earn well above the average wage in the Twin Cities.

The janitors' previous contract expired Dec. 31. Talks on a new deal began in October.

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