Published: September 25, 2008

Fairfax, VA –Local 32BJ has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board against Golden Gate Services, Inc. on behalf of cleaners at the Fairfax County Government Complex.  The Fairfax-based cleaning contractor has been charged with unlawful surveillance and interrogation of employees as well as threatening them with discharge and retaliation for their lawful union activities.
 
“Threatening to fire men and women for working to improve life for their families is an injustice,” said Jaime Contreras, Local 32BJ Capital Area Director. “Golden Gate should get in line with responsible companies that treat workers with respect and just compensation.” 
 
Golden Gate reports more than $12 million in estimated total sales but pays cleaners as little as $7 per hour.  The company maintains commercial office buildings in Fairfax, Herndon, McLean, Vienna and Reston.
 
Last year, in a move that primarily affects custodial, maintenance and administrative workers, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a living wage of $12.75 an hour for regular county employees and established a policy to encourage all county vendors and to adopt a similar living wage for their employees.  Included in each of the Board’s purchasing solicitation is the following clause: “Fairfax County is committed to paying a living wage to all qualified county employees and encourages contractors and subcontractors involved in all county programs, services, and activities to pay a living wage to their employees.”
 
“Even with a second job, it’s difficult to pay my bills on Golden Gate’s wages,” said Ricardo Quintanilla, a father of two from Reston who has worked for Golden Gate for eight years and earns $7 per hour with few to no benefits.
 
With more than 100,000 members in six states, including 10,000 in the D.C. Metropolitan Area, Local 32BJ is the largest property service workers union in the country.