American Dream cleaning crew rallies again for salary increases, benefits (updated)

During a 48-hour strike that began the afternoon of Dec. 19, cleaning staff at American Dream called on the East Rutherford-based mall’s owner, Triple Five Group, to replace Purely Local, the company contracted to provide cleaning services.

During a 48-hour strike that began the afternoon of Dec. 19, 2024, cleaning staff at American Dream called on the East Rutherford-based mall’s owner, Triple Five Group, to replace Purely Local, the company contracted to provide cleaning services. - PROVIDED BY 32BJ SEIU

Kimberly Redmond//December 23, 2024//

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Cleaning staff at American Dream are once again rallying for better pay and more affordable health benefits.

During a 48-hour demonstration that began the afternoon of Dec. 19, workers called on the East Rutherford mall’s owner, Triple Five Group, to replace Purely Local, the company contracted to provide cleaning services.

After delivering bags of coal to Triple Five Group and Purely Local for Christmas, cleaners set up a tent encampment outside of American Dream‘s main entrance.

For the past two years, the crew responsible for cleaning the 3 million-square-foot shopping and entertainment venue has been trying to organize and join 32BJ Service Workers International Union. The push has spanned two separate contracting companies, HSA Cleaning and Purely Local, according to the union.

As a result of those efforts, workers said they’ve experienced harassment, unjust terminations and wage reductions. Those moves prompted cleaners to rally twice – Aug. 12, 2023, and June 27, 2024, the union said.

“While American Dream is having its most profitable season of the year, the more than 90 cleaning workers Triple Five Group relies on to clean and maintain its megamall are struggling,” Ana Maria Hill, New Jersey state director for 32BJ SEIU, commented.

“They’re struggling to afford presents, to pay bills and to pay down mountains of medical debt — all because Purely Local won’t give its workers a living wage and decent benefits. Triple Five shouldn’t be OK with letting its essential contracted workers languish. It’s about time it hires a responsible cleaning contractor,” Hill said.

Calling for benefit bumps

After delivering bags of coal to Triple Five Group and Purely Local for Christmas, the rallying workers set up a tent encampment outside of American Dream's main entrance. — After delivering bags of coal to Triple Five Group and Purely Local for Christmas, the rallying workers set up a tent encampment outside of American Dream’s main entrance. – PROVIDED BY 32BJ SEIU

According to 32BJ SEIU, Purely Local pays cleaning staff $17 an hour, which amounts to about $35,000 annually, and offers “unaffordable health insurance.”

In a statement, Geraldo Campos, a cleaner at American Dream, said, “The holiday season is the busiest time of the year for the mall. It’s about giving and appreciation but Purely Local has only ever taken. They cut our salaries by almost $2 an hour when the company first started here. It was our collective action that made them reverse that decision. But it isn’t enough; $17 an hour isn’t a living wage today.”

“Purely Local and American Dream have to do the right thing and finally give its workers what they deserve,” Campos added.

A spokesperson for American Dream declined to comment on the demonstration. Purely Local could not immediately be reached.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 10:31 a.m. Dec. 23, 2024, to clarify that there was not work stoppage; therefore, there was no strike, only a demonstration.