Photos by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press

Chants of “Nu-Tec, shame on you,” and “Union for all” echoed in the streets around City Hall on Tuesday, as contracted Richmond janitors walked off their jobs to protest their employer, Nu-Tech Janitorial Services.

The strike, which began at 7:30 a.m. and continued throughout the day, focused on federal labor charges accusing Nu-Tech leaders of retaliatory firings, disability discrimination and threats related to unionization efforts. The janitors were joined by other local union members at the events.

Clarissa McGhee and Sharonda Smith allege they were fired late last year for participating in union activities, with McGhee also saying she faced scrutiny from management for using a cane to travel to work.

Tiffany Cobbs, meanwhile, was warned by her supervisor after a Free Press story on McGhee and Smith’s firings was published.

“As soon as the Richmond Free Press story came out, my supervisor told me that I could be fired for joining the union,” said Cobbs, a Nu-Tech janitor at John Marshall Courts Building, in a press release.

Employees were clear that things had to change, citing long-term issues with Nu-Tech, including low pay and a lack of benefits, as well as the impact of the water crisis weeks earlier, which caused problems at their homes and resulted in a loss of work and pay.

“I promised them when I got this job that I would do the best for this company, and I have done that,” said Priscilla Peebles, a cleaner who works in the city’s Social Services building but relies on food stamps and other sources to pay her bills. “I am pleading to you today to please listen to us, to do the right thing. We’re not asking for a whole lot, we’re not asking for much.”

 A worker shares her experience working for companies like Nu-Tech. About 150 union workers picketed Jan. 28, outside the Nu-Tech Janitorial Services building.
 

The strikes were organized by the local chapter of the Service Employees International Union, a labor organization whose unions represent workers in localities across the state. The group has also been helping with the federal labor charges filed by Clarissa McGhee, Sharonda Smith and Tiffany Cobbs.

The strike saw a large turnout over several hours, with as many as 50 people on the streets and outside Nu-Tech’s office in Shockoe Bottom, while others participated from home. Although the rallies were spread out, workers’ goals were unified, with their main demand clear: the immediate rehiring of McGhee and Smith and accountability for Cobbs’ treatment.

The need for Nu-Tech employees to unionize, to ensure their concerns are addressed and they receive the full benefits of their job, was also emphasized.

“These workers do not have sick days, they don’t have vacation, they don’t have health care,” SEIU Virginia Executive Vice President Jaime Contreras said. “And they make as little as $15 an hour or maybe even less — and so you wonder why people want to organize to have a union?”

When reached for comment via phone, an employee for NuTech’s Richmond office who declined to provide a name said the company “did not engage in any unfair labor practices whatsoever.”

SEIU continued its campaign Wednesday at the General Assembly, where essential public, care and service workers met with state legislators to advocate for bills that would improve labor standards across Virginia. Bills supported include collective bargaining for public workers, service worker retention protections and a $15 wage floor, among others.

For Peebles, she hopes that the strike will cause Nu-Tech to acknowledge workers’ many issues with the company, and lead to a more open, honest discussion of their needs.

“I just hope that they will listen to us and hope they come to the table with us and at least give us something that we asked for,” Peebles said. “Show us some respect, show us some concern, some consideration and compassion.”