After 10 months of fighting, 27 workers from the Moorestown School district have finally reached a settlement with the district’s janitorial contractor Healthcare Service Group. The settlement includes payments to the workers of over $400,000 in back pay of wages and reimbursement of medical expenses workers incurred due to their job and healthcare loss and the immediate reinstatement of the workers.
On July 1, 2021, the workers lost their jobs at the Moorestown School district when the board of education awarded the janitorial contract to HSCG. Since HCSG refused to keep the workers due to their union affiliation, the workers not only lost their income, but also their health insurance, legal support and other benefits. Earlier this year, the 4th region of the National Labor Relations Board had found merit in the worker’s complaint and filed for Section 10(j) injunctive relief in the federal court in Camden. The agreement was reached before trial began.
“These members have been fighting for 10 months. They told their stories at the monthly board of education meetings, signed petitions and more,” said 32BJ Executive Vice president & NJ State Director Kevin Brown. “We are pleased with the NLRB’s management of the case and that HCSG accepted a settlement. More than anything, we are pleased that the workers will receive their back pay and be reinstated.”
Additional conditions of the settlement include recognition and bargaining with 32BJ, as well as union rights training for HCSG supervisors by the NLRB.
“We are relieved to know that we have reached a settlement,” said Luz Ortega, Moorestown School district janitorial worker. “The past 10 months have been challenging for all of us. I do not think we ever recovered from the way we were fired by HCGS.”
“We look forward to being back at work and taking care of the schools where Moorestown’s children learn. Once our wages and healthcare are restored, we will once again be able to care for our families.”
Lastly, the Moorestown School District recently received bids from both responsible and irresponsible contractors for a new two-year contract to clean the schools. A new contractor will be announced in the upcoming months.
