Jersey City Developer To Pay $102K In Back Wages To Cleaners

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Thirteen cleaners who worked at The Beacon apartment complex in McGinley Square are returning to work with a $102,000 check for back wages. The cleaners had been employees of Planned Companies and the payment comes after an investigation into the underpayment of the cleaners by Planned Companies.

Three of the Beacon’s six rental buildings at the 1,155-unit complex overlooking Manhattan skyline receive 15-year tax abatements pursuant to financial agreements with the city. As a condition of the abatements, cleaning vendors on large projects were required to pay building cleaners at least $13.97 an hour in wages and benefits.

Planned Companies was the vendor hired by Beacon Redevelopment LLC. Planned Companies was accused of underpaying workers and leaving them without a job when the Beacon changed contractors. The Beacon LLC agreed to pay the workers back wages as well as to hire a vendor who would reinstate them to their positions.

"We are pleased with Beacon Redevelopment’s decision to make right by the workers of Planned Companies who worked at the Beacon," said Mayor Steven Fulop. "I hope that this is another reminder that Jersey City will not tolerate noncompliance with the living wage ordinance, which exists to ensure our city supports developments that create good jobs for our communities."

The workers are part of the union SEIU Local 32BJ. The workers have been unemployed since June 1.

"This is another clear example of how irresponsible contractors like Planned Companies cause serious damage to not only workers, but developers as well," said Kevin Brown, 32BJ Vice President and New Jersey State Director, "We look forward to the Beacon cleaners getting back to their jobs with the wages, benefits and the union protections they deserve."

Parsippany-based contractor Planned Companies did not respond to Patch for comment.

"I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel," said Juan Perez, one of the cleaners. "Last few months have been incredibly difficult. Because of Planned’s irresponsibility, my three kids, wife and I started relying on food banks to survive – but we never stopped fighting. I cannot wait to go back to my job with my coworkers and my union."