The union representing some 22,000 commercial office cleaners in New York has reached a tentative agreement with the workers' employers, averting a strike set to begin just after the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day.

Local 32BJ - which is part of the larger Service Employees International Union - had said if no agreement was reached, its members would walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. Sunday.

The employer group that the union is negotiating with - the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations - confirmed the tentative agreement late Friday night, saying it was subject to approval by the board and the union.

The realty board said details of the new contract will be released once it is approved.

The union, in a news release, said the agreement provides for a nearly 5.6% wage increase over the life of the four-year contract as well as bonuses totaling $1,100. It also maintains employer-paid health care coverage.