They do a man’s job, but they receive third-rate treatment.

A group of Latino women who work cleaning offices citywide are accusing their employers of subjecting them to discrimination, mistreatment, reprisals and other abuses. They are also criticizing Local 32BJ, their own union, as well as union administrators, of not supporting them and of having “shady interests” within the organization.

Although misfortune has united them, (Betania Sánchez, one of the aforementioned workers, suffers from colon and liver cancer), the women stated that they are “ready and willing” to demand the respect and justice that is due to them.

“We are in the middle of a battle to make them respect our rights,” said Gloria Berrios, while meeting with other colleagues in Sánchez’s apartment, where they show up each day to hear news of their friend’s health.

Marly Esmeral, a woman of Colombian origin, said that although she’s been working as a cleaner for only nine months, she has had enough time to get a clear picture of the type of treatment to which the women are subjected by their bosses. “They treat us like animals, and if we complain, they retaliate against us.”

Esmeral claimed that she has been the victim of cruelty on the part of her supervisor, who she identified as Roque Sepil. “I feel very taken advantage of and discriminated against. 32BJ hasn’t fought for my rights.”

The workers stated that similar injustices are being committed against “many women in many buildings,” and that although they pay the union’s monthly dues of $59, they do not receive the support that they hope for in return.

“What we are asking for is justice. We believe 32BJ is being run like a business, because the jobs that come in are distributed only among the union leaders,” highlighted Berrios.

The women additionally assert that Sánchez’s health deteriorated as a result of pressure from her supervisors, the majority of whom are Yugoslavian.

Héctor Figueroa, 32BJ’s treasurer, indicated that “without knowing what the workers’ individual situations are – although I know one of them (Berrios) sought to become a coordinator and is discontented with union politics – complaints and disputes should be directed to the coordinator of the building where the women work or to a union delegate.”

“This representative will carry out an investigation to determine if there is a contract violation, and then an arbitrator will be brought in. That’s standard procedure,” concluded Figueroa.

The union’s labor agreement

A negotiating committee for Local 32BJ announced a tentative agreement for a new commercial contract that would require employers to pay the entire cost of health plans for workers from their buildings. The agreement would provide salary increases in the second and third year of contracts and would guarantee retirement pensions.