A group of 44 contracted cleaners employed by Nelson Service Systems walked off the job Tuesday morning at six Con Edison locations in Manhattan.

Their bold move comes in response to accusations of unfair labor practices against their employer, filed with the National Labor Relations Board by the union 32BJ SEIU, one of New York’s leading labor unions...

To bolster their efforts and draw public attention to their cause, the group including striking workers, Denis Johnston, executive vice president of 32BJ SEIU, and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine staged a rally on Jan. 7 outside Con Edison’s headquarters. 

“The working people who keep Con Edison offices clean and safely operating are essential workers. They deserve some respect,” Johnston said. “Unfortunately, Nelson Services Systems, the contractor who employs these workers, is undercutting labor standards that organized blue-collar New Yorkers have fought decades to establish for the professional cleaning service sector.”...

A representative with Con Edison deferred the matter to Nelson Service Systems.

“Our contract with Nelson Services requires that their workers are employed in accordance with all applicable labor and employment laws. Nelson Services is a vendor, this is a dispute between the vendor and its employees. Con Edison is not involved,” the spokesperson told amNewYork Metro. 

Nelson Service Systems did not respond to amNewYork Metro’s request for comment...