Washington, DC –32BJ members joined cleaners today to distribute leaflets at the National Archives on behalf of the men and women who lost their jobs cleaning the federal agency. The Union filed grievances against the Archives’ cleaning contractor, LB&B & Associates, Inc. accusing the company of firing the cleaners without cause, a violation of their contract with 32BJ. The parties are currently awaiting an arbitration decision.
“Surely this reputable institution can find a more responsible contractor who treats their workers better,” said Jaime Contreras, 32BJ SEIU Capitol Area Director. “These cleaners worked hard and their families are suffering without that income.”
LB&B denies any wrongdoing against the cleaners, some of whom had been employed for as long as two decades.
“I loved that job, I always did more when it was asked of me,” said Milton Scott, a father of three, including one in college who lost his job with LB&B. “Things have been really rough, I haven’t heard back from any of the jobs I applied for.”
32BJ members clean and maintain federal agencies throughout the area including the U.S. State Department, the Department of Justice, the Department of Interior, the Department of Agriculture, FDIC and the Pentagon.
With more than 110,000 members in nine states, including more than 15,000 in the Washington D.C.-Metropolitan area, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
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updated 11/3/09
