Despite holding a grand opening to great fanfare, the new day laborers’ center in Passaic, New Jersey – the first of its kind in the state – faces continued troubles for its workers. An inspector informed the workers on January 2 that the center could not operate because of lack of appropriate conditions, and the city’s mayor refused to meet with them, according to the day laborers.

Fabián Galindo, president of United Day Laborers of Passaic: Solidarity and Justice, pointed out that the center ended up being very small for the number of workers that gather there daily.

“It’s been a big first step, but we don’t have enough chairs, adequate sanitary services or electricity,” said Galindo. “The police have stopped harassing us, but the main problem we have is with the city inspectors who told us we can’t be here inside. We’re going to pitch in, organize and try to expand the center as soon as possible before the winter cold sets in,” he continued.

The center, located at 39 Parker Avenue, had its grand opening on January 2, complete with a toast and ribbon cutting by Mayor Samuel “Sammy” Rivera. However, just a few minutes after the ceremony a dispute emerged among the workers, who eventually decided to choose new leadership.

Another day worker, Aurelio García, indicated that the previous leader resigned because “we questioned him for being more worried about the premature inauguration of the center and not on creating a work plan.”

“We have a place, that’s great, but now what? How are we going to work?” García asked.

The day workers pointed out that Mayor Rivera was committed to finding them a center and providing assistance to avoid having workers in the streets looking for people to hire them.

“We want to speak to the mayor to tell him that we appreciate having obtained the center, but that we can’t stay inside here,” said Galindo, while he and other workers prepared to go to City Hall for help. “We have to keep fighting for a place on the street, temporarily, while this (center) is expanded. Unfortunately this location is very small for the approximately 200 day laborers during the week and 400 on weekends,” said the leader of the workers.

However, Mayor Rivera refused to speak with the workers’ representatives, indicating that “first they have to resolve their internal problems.”

“I’ve done everything I can, I can’t do anything else. You all need to organize and make this center work,” said Rivera, leaving his office and confronting the workers waiting for him outside.

Later, Rivera indicated in a calmer tone that he will not meet with the workers until they have more permanent representation.

“We have been working for a year and I have even put in money from my own pocket to equip this center, and then right after its opening they decide to change leadership from one moment to the next. That’s not how it’s done. I’ve done what I can,” he said.

Rivera commented that, faced with repeated complaints from residents about the presence of day workers in the streets, he helped look for a place for them to go. After several tries, this location was found, the first of its kind in all of New Jersey.

“Now it is their turn to improve it and to get organized,” he said. “The doors to my office are open, but I’m not willing to waste my time with all these changes.”