“Thrown Out Like Trash,” Fired Workers Fight Back at Luxury High Rise

Philadelphia – September 11, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — More than 300 32BJ members, tenants and elected officials, will join fired building workers from 2116 Chestnut Street by tossing dozens of garbage bags on the side of the luxury high-rise apartment building on Friday at 2:30 p.m. The workers will send a clear message that, “We are not garbage to be thrown away.”

In August, CBRE purchased 2116 Chestnut for $160 million. Days later all of the building staff were fired.

Last Friday, the workers filed a complaint alleging CBRE and Greystar – the new building owner and manager – violated Philadelphia’s protection of Displaced Contract Workers Ordinance. The ordinance requires workers be retained for a 90-day transition period. The workers are seeking reinstatement, lost wages and the imposition of a daily fine until remedied.

The security officers, building cleaners and maintenance workers were terminated in July with little notice. Since that time, they have delivered petition signatures from a majority of tenants to CBRE headquarters and Greystar’s office. They have leafleted and demonstrated nearly every day in an effort to get their jobs back. On Friday, workers will also present a letter in support signed by members of City Council.

WHAT: Fired Workers Rally at 2116 Chestnut St.

WHO: Speakers include: Fired workers, tenants

WHEN: Friday, September 11, 2015 at 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: 2116 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

Workers will march from 1515 Market to 21st Street, turning on 21st before making their way to 2116 Chestnut

VISUALS: dozens of garbage bags, large blown-up photos of workers

With 145,000 members in eleven states and Washington, D.C., including 22,000 in Pennsylvania, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.

For more information: Julie Blust, 215-713-6777