Newark, NJ—Municipal Council members joined more than 100 union workers on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday to protest the City of Newark’s violation of its own prevailing wage ordinance. For the past two years, the city’s cleaning contract with janitorial provider USI has violated Newark’s prevailing wage law, leaving workers grossly underpaid. Protesters demanded that the city put the multi-million dollar contract, which expired yesterday, to clean municipal buildings out to a competitive bid that complies with the law.
“Newark needs good jobs, and our tax dollars should not be creating poverty,” said Council member Ras Baraka. “The city should honor its moral and legal obligations to workers by making contractors pay the prevailing rate, as the Newark ordinance on service workers requires.”
The 2007 prevailing wage law requires contractors hired to clean city buildings pay their workers based on prevailing wages and benefits set by the State of New Jersey. Currently, it requires city contractors to compensate janitors $15.70 an hour plus $3.50 in supplements and paid leave. City officials confirmed earlier this year that USI workers were making only $11.94 with few benefits.
Despite repeated demands to bring its contract with USI into compliance, the City does not appear to have corrected the situation. Even though the contract expired yesterday, it has not been put out to bid. The city’s inaction raises concern that it may be preparing to extend the unlawful arrangement with USI.
“Now more than ever, Newark’s families need good jobs that help build stable communities,” said Kevin Brown, New Jersey Area Director of 32BJ. “But instead of helping cleaners achieve the American Dream, the City of Newark has allowed men and women cleaning city buildings to be underpaid in violation of the law.
32BJ SEIU represents 8,500 workers in New Jersey. The union has helped win better jobs and lives for building service workers throughout the state.
updated 9/1/2010
