American Dream Mall’s Contracted Cleaners Go on Valentine’s Day Strike

Rally planned for 3 p.m. at 32BJ SEIU’s Newark Office

Union Filed Unfair Labor Practice charge against contractor Purely Local for forcing gag orders on workers meant to silence their complaints in court, with government agencies

Workers, who are launching two-day strike on busy shopping holiday, will deliver broken Valentines to cleaning contractor

East Rutherford, N.J. — Today at 7:15 a.m., 60 contracted cleaners employed by Purely Local went on strike to protest alleged illegal gag orders the company forced workers to sign that bars them from filing complaints with government agencies and in court. Workers are also protesting drastic cuts to their hours made in the last month.

Purely Local made cleaners sign arbitration agreements when the company was hired in August 2024, replacing a contractor facing a lawsuit over claims the company failed to stop a manager from repeatedly sexually harassing two workers.

The agreement unlawfully bars workers from bringing complaints to government agencies like the National Labor Relations Board and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

32BJ SEIU has filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge alleging the arbitration agreements were illegal.

Today’s strike comes after months of mobilizations by workers to demand living wages and benefits. Purely Local in February slashed workers’ hours twice — from 40 to 35 hours a week to now just 30 hours per week, effectively an $8,840 annual wage pay cut. Workers are paid $17 an hour.

Workers will be making broken Valentines to be delivered to Purely Local at 32BJ SEIU’s offices in Newark.

This is the third time these contracted cleaners have gone on strike in the last two years.

“We keep New Jersey’s megamall clean for hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It’s thankless, back-breaking work for little pay and substandard benefits. Many of us came to the U.S. from other countries looking for better economic opportunities to support our families. We work multiple jobs to support ourselves and our families. We’re not asking for handouts. We’re asking for basic respect and a living wage. But Purely Local tries to make sure that we can’t stand up for ourselves. We’re on strike because we know our rights. We deserve better than slashed hours and wages. We’re standing and fighting together to demand Purely Local starts respecting us,” said Barbara Castro, cleaner employed by Purely Local. 

“Purely Local since being hired last fall has tried again and again at grinding down its workers. But even after wage and hour cuts and forcing workers to sign gag orders, the more than 90 contracted cleaners haven’t broken. Instead they are united in sending a strong and powerful message, we will strike for what is right. They’re resilient and ready to fight for as long as it takes to win living wages and benefits. 32BJ SEIU stands with these workers, who are essential in keeping the American Dream mall clean and maintained,” said Ana Maria Hill, 32BJ SEIU Vice President and New Jersey State Director. 

RALLY:

WHEN: 3 to 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: 32BJ SEIU Newark offices, 3rd floor, 494 Broad St. (Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson Boulevard)

WHO: Purely Local contracted cleaners on strike, 32BJ SEIU Vice President and New Jersey State Director Ana Maria Hill.

WHAT: Strike to protest Purely Local’s alleged unfair labor practices.

Background: 

Purely Local, over Labor Day weekend last fall, cut workers’ pay from $17 to just $15.25 an hour. Worker actions made the company reverse the pay cut, but wages remain low.

Many of the more than 90 contracted cleaners Purely Local employs struggle to afford basic necessities while supporting their families on poverty wages against a skyrocketing cost of living. Cuts to worker hours only exacerbates the issue.

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32BJ SEIU is a member-driven union representing 15,000 service workers in New Jersey and a total of 185,000 service workers across 12 states and Washington, D.C.