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WeWork Office Space Startup Hashes Out Compromise with Janitor Union

By Gwynne Hogan | October 15, 2015 2:39pm
 Former WeWork cleaners who were locked out in August when their contract expired may get their jobs back.
Former WeWork cleaners who were locked out in August when their contract expired may get their jobs back.
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DNAinfo/Gwynne Hogan

CHELSEA — Of the 114 janitors who lost their cleaning jobs after trying to unionize at WeWork  — a $10 billion co-working space startup — about a third could be re-hired under a deal worked out between the company and their union.

Under the deal, 32BJ SEIU members would get priority to about three dozen cleaning jobs that may open up in the next few weeks, union spokeswoman Rachel Cohen said.

More jobs would open up to the fired cleaning crew as the company continued to expand, WeWork spokeswoman Jennifer Burner said.

Workers who don't get rehired by the company will be entitled to severance pay, she said.

“We pride ourselves on being great partners and we are pleased that we were able to develop a win-win partnership with 32BJ SEIU,” WeWork President Artie Minson said.

The about-face by the company comes after months of squabbles with its subcontracted cleaners who technically worked for Commercial Business Maintenance Corp. 

Over the summer, WeWork and CBM were accused of union busting after the contract was terminated and the workers lost their jobs.

Workers responded to the agreement with mixed feelings.

"I feel so happy... and anxious," said Maria Dewald, 48, who had worked at the startup for three and a half years. "I’m ready for them to call me and say, ready let's start tomorrow.

"It's what we’re all hoping for."

An employee of CBM hung up the phone when asked for a request for comment.