Brooklyn Building Company Accused Of Union Busting And Wage Theft

BUSHWICK, NY —Bushwick building workers say they were illegally fired and are still owed thousands in wages from a Brooklyn management company accused of union busting.

Dynamic Building Services workers protested Wednesday outside a newly built apartment building at 10 Montieth St. Wednesday, a few weeks before the company will face a National Labor Relations Board trial on Oct 17.

Eight workers filed charges claiming they were fired illegally after attempting to unionize, and at least five others have recently approached the union with similar claims, said a representative for 32BJ, the city's building services worker union.

Ashley Mejia, 24, said she was in March "let go overnight" from her job as a door person at 10 Montieth St. after four months "for no reason" and is still owed around $17,000 in wages during her time there.

"When I found out I was being underpaid, at that point I started asking questions," said Mejia. "It was always a hold off or, ‘Wait until next time.'"

Dynamic Building Services-managed building workers often faced similar treatment, Mejia said.

"Everything is just under the table, a whole bunch of secrets," she added. "They make you feel like you’re afraid to ask any questions, and you can’t just do anything."

John Roman, a Williamsburg door person with the company for three years, said management company higher-ups have been trying to dissuade workers, who are in the process of unionizing and about to hold an election, from joining 32B.

"The supervisors have tried to talk us out of signing up with the union, telling us that we’re not going to be represented well, we’re betraying them, that it’s not going to work in the long run," Roman, 26, recalled. "There’s just been a lot of crazy things going on.”

Roman also argued he should be earning $23 per hour — the prevailing wage set by the New York City Comptroller's office — rather than the $18 he currently receives.

"We're tired of being taken advantage of," Roman said.

The workers were joined by state Senator Julia Salazar and state Assembly Member Maritza Davila, both Brooklyn Democrats, who both expressed outrage at the reported treatment of Dynamic Budding Services' workers.

"We see it all the time, where employers think the they can get away with firing workers for trying to unionize, and it's not acceptable," said Salazar.

"That’s unjust," added Davila. “You come into Bushwick or Williamsburg and mess with us ... we’re going to fight back.”

Dynamic Building Services did not return a request for comment.