(NEW YORK CITY) - Hundreds of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 32BJ-represented Cleaners and Security Officers recently took to the streets in New York City in front of a Diamond District commercial building where four Security Officers were fired and six Cleaners had their wages and benefits suddenly slashed.

After a new building owner Fifth City Realty LLC, an affiliate of Empire Capital, brought in a cut-rate cleaning company on June 1st, the Cleaners’ wages were cut almost in half to $16 per hour - and their benefits were canceled.

“We were barely making enough before all this mess, how are we supposed to make ends meet now on ($16) an hour and no benefits.  That’s crazy,” said Fire Safety Director Carlos Tejeda. “I just want my regular job back and to continue to live the life I was living.  I was able to support my kids and help them pursue higher education and a good life.”

After Empire Capital bought the commercial building last year, its owners didn’t pay the cleaning and security contractor several hundred thousand dollars, according to the Union.

The conflict over the missing payments caused ABM, a cleaning company that had a recently expired contract with 32BJ with $29-per-hour wages and benefits, to withdraw from the building.

Four Union Security Officers were fired and Empire brought in a new cleaning contractor called L&J Janitorial on June 1st that slashed Cleaners’ wages nearly in half and canceled the Workers’ benefits, including critical family medical insurance.

According to 32BJ, the company has unilaterally announced it does not recognize the Union.

To Continue Reading This Labor News Story, Go To: 32BJ cleaners march in protest of wage cuts at Diamond District building – LaborPress

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