Midtown construction workers strike over collective bargaining rights

Workers in Midtown Manhattan have gone on strike because they are being denied the opportunity to negotiate their contracts, which they say violates federal labor law.

Carlos Tejeda, the fire marshal, along with his colleagues at 529 Fifth Avenue, began a two-day strike at 7 a.m. Wednesday morning in the hope of sending a strong message.

“We are united, we will never be defeated,” chanted Tejeda as he gathered outside the entrance to the building.

The group includes five cleaning workers and a fire safety officer, all members of the 32BJ SEIU union. They are protesting to negotiate contract details on wages and benefits.

“I worked in emergency situations during COVID and still showed up to work. I’ve been here for 26 years. I just want to be treated fairly,” Tejeda said.

Workers say their pay was cut to $16 an hour in June after a new landlord took over the company last year, and four union security guards lost their jobs.

“I have kids in college and given the economic situation, I’m here just trying to do my job,” Tejeda added.

Manny Pastreich, president of 32BJ SEIU, joined the protesters,

“A new cleaning contractor came in and cut people’s wages by almost $20,000 a year, and they weren’t even willing to sit down at the table and seriously negotiate with them,” he says.

The union has filed an unfair labor practice lawsuit, saying L&J Janitorial is refusing to negotiate.

News 12 reached out to L&J Janitorial but did not receive a response at the time of this report.

“This is contrary to the standards of this city, this is contrary to basic humanity and decency,” Pastreich said.

The union filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board and hopes that L&J Janitorial will enter into negotiations in light of the strike.