Published: November 5, 2009

Seven cleaners for Optima Cleaning Services Inc.who worked at Wilmington Trust Corp. headquarters have been awarded a total of $24,000 in back wages to settle a complaint that Optima fired after they failed surprise drug tests in retaliation for trying to organize a union. 

Without admitting wrondgoing, Optima also agreed to post a statement that it won't spy on Service Employees' International Union Local 32BJ "or any other labor organization"; will not "challenge Union representatives to a fight" or hit their vehicles; will not "coercively question" workers,  or "discriminate" against pro-union workers by making them take extra drug tests.

The workers "do not desire reinstatement and would not accept it if offered," the statement added. “Threats and intimidation do not belong in the workplace," said  Kurt Westby, 32BJ area director.

But Optima owner Tom Delle Donne tells me his drug testing program existed long before SEIU tried organizing his workers last year. "I'm perplexed" that NLRB didn't throw the case out on that basis, he told me. "It would have cost me another $60,000 to fight it out in court," so he settled. "I'm getting pummelled here."