Cleaners Rally Outside Con Ed HQ To Demand Utility Giant Provide Family-Sustaining Jobs

Dozens of contracted cleaners and 32BJ SEIU union members rallied outside Con Edison's Union Square headquarters on August 14th to demand the company nix ties with Nelson Services Systems, a contractor that workers say pays sub-par wages.

Nelson employs all 55 of the workers who rallied. The employees work at Con Ed offices, customer service centers and substations throughout the city - and they all say Nelson has failed to improve their pay or benefits. Sergio Centeno, who works at Con Ed's headquarters, said his last electric bill was $194 and has to work two jobs to support his family.

"They make billions of dollars off customers but essential workers - like me - who clean and maintain their offices have to work two jobs just to support their families," the Jackson Heights resident said. "I don't have health insurance. I live in fear - I can't get sick, nothing can happen to me. I work 40 hours/week at Con Ed for $16/hour and 20 hours/week at a second cleaning job to help support my son. Our utility bill - all our bills - go up every year, but our wages don't. Our wages aren't enough. We are fighting to improve our lives." Read more in amNY.