The National Labor Relations Board has agreed to hear a claim by two building workers in Jersey City who contend their former employer fired them for trying to organize a union.
Nicholas Rivera and his partner, Madeline, formerly worked for Guardian Service Industries in Jersey City, which was contracted by Equity Residential. Rivera was a concierge at Hudson Point Apartments, and he said his attempts to form a union with Local 32 BJ SEIU led to he and Madeline getting fired.
“They basically told me that I was fired because I took a break,” Rivera said. “Legally, lawfully, when you’re working an eight or nine-hour shift, everybody is allowed to have at least a 30-minute break.”
Guardian and Equity did not respond to NJ Spotlight News’ requests for comment.
Within weeks after being fired, Rivera filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, and over a year later, it has scheduled a hearing for Oct. 16. Rivera is seeking reinstatement, back pay and an apology for the financial hardship brought by losing job.
“I woke up this morning and my kids have no food in the refrigerator,” he said. “Bills are piling up. Rent is getting backed up again. We’ve been already to the point where I had to sell my car to avoid getting evicted, to keep a roof over my family’s head. And it hasn’t gotten any better.”
