Local News in Brief : ‘Justice for Janitors’ Suit Filed by Union

The Service Employees International Union filed suit Wednesday against a Los Angeles cleaning company, asserting that the company was operating under two names in an attempt to avoid paying union wages and benefits. The federal court suit is the latest move by the union in its “Justice for Janitors” campaign, which has featured a number of demonstrations in Los Angeles and other cities around the country.

The union asserts that Western Cleaning Contractors, with whom it has collective bargaining agreements at five Los Angeles buildings, is also operating an “alter ego” cleaning company, called Century Cleaning Contractors, to avoid its obligations under the agreement.

Under the union’s standard contract in Los Angeles, workers make $7.42 an hour, contrasted with wages ranging from $4.25 to $4.50 an hour at non-unionized work sites, union organizer Cecille Richards said. In addition, the unionized workers receive paid health insurance, pensions and sick leave, while the non-unionized workers get none of these benefits, Richards said.

Western Cleaners had potential back-pay liability of $12.3 million if the union wins its case, she said.

William Wall, president of Western Cleaners, denied Wednesday that Western has any connection with Century Cleaners. Western and Century “are two different companies. Western is not affiliated with anybody,” he said.