BY LINCOLN ANDERSON | Workers at the Printing House luxury condo building went on strike Wednesday after a leader in their ongoing struggle to form a union was abruptly canned by management.
Arturo Vergara, a doorman for 15 years at the tony residence, at Hudson and Leroy Sts. was fired on Thurs., April 30. Two days earlier, he had done something he and other staffers had frequently done in the past: He had another worker cover his shift. The night doorman, Vergara has two young children who he takes care of in the morning, and sometimes, after only getting four hours of sleep every night, he finds himself running late to work — just like most people do. However, he was given no warning afterward, but was simply summarily fired.
“I think it’s retaliation,” he told The Villager. “They saw the two or three leaders of the campaign. We just want a decent wage — but also representation, so that this kind of thing can’t happen. At the end of the day, we’re at the mercy of the employer.”
He has had no complaints against him in all his years at the building.
Vergara said threats have been made to other workers that they’ll “be next” to be fired.
The building staff are employed by a contractor, Planned Companies. They want to join 32BJ, the union for doormen and porters.
Planned Companies is a subcontractor of AKAM. A man who answered the phone at AKAM on Wednesday, when asked about Vergara’s firing, said, “I actually have no comment. This is a nonunion building,” before hanging up.
The building’s eight other workers, joined by Vergara, went on strike Wednesday and picketed in front of the building.
“My job has been threatened a lot. Everybody’s job is threatened,” said doorman Wendell Campbell. “Planned Companies is not treating us right at all.”
A large portion of the building’s residents support the union effort and want Vergara reinstated. One hung a “Bring Arturo Back” banner outside his window on Hudson St.
“Arturo epitomizes the best in somebody you would want to work with or work for you,” said Frank Nervo, a unit owner. “For 15 years, Arturo has always been reliable and professional.”
The workers have filed unfair labor practices over Planned Companies’ threats and the firing. They say they are ready to keep fighting until they get the respect they deserve.
