Union Group to Protest 'Anti-Union Behavior' at Shelton Business Thursday

The following is a press release sent in by the New Jersey Displaced Workers Union 32BJ, Connecticut District:

Shelton, CT— Contracted cleaners of one of New Jersey’s premier office buildingswill be heading to Connecticut [Thursday] for a rally to protest anti-union behavior by their building owner Rugby Realty at one of their prominent office buildings in Shelton.

The rally will be [Thursday] at 12 p.m. and workers will be joined by union brothers and sisters from 32BJ’s Connecticut area, and community allies to protest job losses and anti-union behavior. After as much as 21 years of service, workers at 300 Lighting Way were let go from their jobs when the new building owner, Rugby Realty, hired an irresponsible non-union cleaning contractor, Eastern Essential Services, who refused to hire back the workers.

Now Eastern Essential Services is being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for discriminatorily refusing to hire the workers and for slashing wages and benefits. While Rugby has been a responsible employer in the past, it is not true as it expands in New Jersey.

VISUAL: Dozens of workers, with signs and leaflets

WHAT: Office Cleaners Protest Anti-Union Behavior

WHERE: Outside of Reservoir Corporate Center 4 Research Drive, Shelton, CT

WHEN: Thursday, October 2 at 12 p.m.

WHO: Senator Andres Ayala Jr., New Jersey Displaced Workers 32BJ members from Connecticut District and community supporters.

With 145,000 members in 11 states–including nearly 10,000 in New Jersey–32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.

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