L.I. Laundry Workers Call Employer a Washout

By JASMINE PERALTA

Local Hempstead laundry employees held a protest on Thursday, alleging that some members were illegally fired by FDR Services Corp. because they had staged a half-day walkout to dramatize what they depict as the company unfair labor practices.

“FDR is ripping off its employees, don’t let FDR rip off tax payers too,” read the sign held by Dalia Oriana and other FDR employees at a rally calling for — among other demands —  the Hempstead Industrial Development Agency to exempt FDR Services Corp. from a government tax break as a punishment for firing  employees back in February after a series of peaceful rallies.

Oriana, a member of the union bargaining committee said that around September 1st, a hand shake agreement was made promising wage increases and health care for the laundry workers but the company later reneged.

Enraged by this and loss of their health insurance, Oriana and eight of her co-workers on Feb. 14  held a half-day strike. ”

The next day, the company told nine of us, ‘there is no more work for you here,'” she said. “Today, there is still three of us who have not been offered even a return to work.”

Long Island Federation of Labor President John Durso called FDR, “a greedy company that has been around for a long time getting tax breaks and then not fulfilling their reasonability.”

A letter written by the Workers United Union co-manager, Megan Chambers and FDR employers was delivered to the Hempstead Industrial Development Agency during the protest. In the letter, Chambers claimed FDR made false claims when it filed for tax breaks and has, “many other violations of federal law.”

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran added that she is, “quite bullish on IDA’s” and believes that they are good tools for economic development for good paying jobs. However, Curran added, “our tax payers should not be asked to invest in companies that disenfranchise their workers and that take away their healthcare, and fire them when they dare to strike. That is not a good use of our taxpayer money.”

“What do we want? Contracts, when do we want it? Now,” chanted the laundry workers .

“This is an important fight that we need to win so that these workers can have their health insurance, can have their rights protected, and can keep their jobs,” Chambers concluded.

A spokesperson from FDR Services could not be reached for comment.

Photo by Jasmine Peralta