The National Labor Relations Board’s Region 22 has filed a complaint against a cleaning contractor that services 10 apartment buildings in Jersey City and Hoboken owned by Ironstate Properties, accusing them of union-busting tactics.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The complaint, which follows unfair labor practice charges filed by union 32BJ SEIU, finds alleges that Babco Services has engaged in illegal anti-union activity.
The allegations include interrogating its employees, surveilling them and threatening to fire them if they participated in union activity. They are also accused of demanding workers to produce “passport-style photographs” or face reprisals.
“Our bosses would rather intimidate and lie to us than give us the wages and benefits we deserve. In mandatory meetings, they’ve told us that the union is selling us a dream, that nothing would change,” Randy Sayes, a porter at 90 Columbus Dr., said in a statement.
“We’re resisting because we know better and because what they pay us won’t make ends meet, the health insurance they offer doesn’t help us.”
To remedy the situation, NLRB Region 22 is asking Babco recognize their employees’ union at two buildings and bargaining in good faith with 32BJ SEIU.
“The workers who underpin Jersey City’s economic upswing have not received their fair share for far too long. This unfair treatment of essential workers continues through Babco’s union-busting tactics,” added 32BJ SEIU New Jersey State Director Ana Maria Hill.
“The NLRB sent a strong message by calling out Babco for intimidating their workers and violating their rights. We stand with these workers to defend their rights under federal law as they fight for better wages and benefits.”
Babco services buildings at 70-90 Columbus Dr. in Jersey City, 205-235 Hudson St. (Hudson Square North) in Hoboken and The Shipyard Apartments in Hoboken. They have more than 20 employees across the 10 buildings.
The Babco workers are a part of the union’s goal to organize 1,500 residential workers in Jersey City and its surrounding area to raise working standards across the industry.
Workers, following a December 5th rally with elected officials calling for a Jersey City that works for all, won a breakthrough contract that delivered better wages, employer-paid healthcare and access to the 32BJ’s free legal and training benefits.
