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WPCNR MAIN STREET White Plains NY USA:  From the Service Employees International Union 32BJ. (Edited) May 2, 2018:

After the SEIU 32BJ  rally outside the Caspi building at 120 Bloomingdale Road, a group of  Westchester County legislators and workers attempted to deliver a letter requesting 7 union members be rehired and a workers’ petition to Caspi representatives in the building.

At the request of Caspi, White Plains police denied the  entourage of delegation entry to the property. Even after the delegation was reduced to one legislator and one union rep and was allowed entry by police, Caspi’s representatives refused to accept the letter.

Four members of the County Board of Legislators were joined by representatives of the Westchester Putnam Central Labor Body and members of 32BJ SEIU in a White Plains delegation Tuesday that sought to help a group of local building cleaners.

“Because I lost my job, my family is suffering,” said Amando Martinez, one of the seven workers who formerly worked at 235-245 Main Street. “I want to ask the employer to put their hands on their heart and think of the working people. All we want is to work.”

“The County Board of Legislators stands with the workers of Main Street,” Board of Legislators Chairman Ben Boykin told a gathering of about two dozen workers and legislators before joining the delegation that attempted to enter 120 Bloomingdale. “I called Caspi Development several times to discuss the matter and received no answer. Violating the Westchester County Displaced Worker Act is totally unacceptable. We will stand with you until you get your jobs back.”

Community members were met with what the union representatives describe as “indifference” by building owners who have  been accused by the Service Employees International Union 32BJ  of breaking a Westchester County labor standards law.

The county legislators were among a dozen who  signed a letter calling on Capsi Development to see that the seven cleaners who were let go from their jobs at the Caspi building at 235-245 Main Street are brought back with full back pay.

The cleaners have filed a lawsuit in NY State Supreme Court and unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, and they are seeking a federal court injunction against the new cleaning contractor, Integrated Building Management.

 “I’m disappointed that the representatives of Caspi Development on site refused to allow a delegation to deliver our letter and a workers’ petition,” said a member of the delegation, County Board of Legislators Majority leader Catherine Parker. “What we at the Board of Legislators are looking for is that laws of Westchester County are followed, and that Caspi Development understands that they can be a friendly intermediary in that process.”

 “It seems like a pretty bad sign that the building owner is not willing to accept our request to do the right thing,” Ms. Parker concluded.

“By refusing to allow the delegation entry, refusing to take calls, refusing to accept a letter signed by over a dozen legislators,  Caspi Development is refusing to hear the community they serve,” said Lenore Friedlaender, Assistant to the President of 32BJ SEIU. “Caspi Development and Integrated Building Management should put their energy into resolving this issue in the best interest of local workers, building tenants, and the local economy.”

“It’s ridiculous that the building owner and their contractor are treating these seven workers this way,” said Tom Carey, President of the Westchester Putnam Central Labor Body. “We stand in solidarity with you totally.”

“On May Day, we’re committed to fight for these seven cleaners in the spirit of all the workers’ who’ve had to fight for their rights,” said Anthony Castiglione, a member of 32BJ SEIU and Vice President of the Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body. “We ask Caspi to do the right thing and ask their contractor to hire these workers, or to find a law-abiding contractor that will act responsibly.”

WPCNR County Clarion-Ledger. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. May 1, 2018:

Westchester County Executive George Latimer visited First Village Coffee in Ossining today in recognition of National Small Business Week. Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

At First Village Coffee, Latimer was joined by Co-Owner and Operator Luis Corena, Ossining Village Mayor Victoria Gearity, Ossining Town Supervisor Dana Levenberg, representatives of the Ossining Chamber Commerce and other small business advocates.

Latimer said: “When you see the restoration of American downtowns, you are seeing it driven by small business. Westchester takes pride in its major corporations, but it’s the small businesses of the County that employee a vast majority of our residents. Somewhere along the line a person like Luis makes a decision to make an investment – and he and his family made an investment here in Ossining. They had an idea for a business that could be successful, that employs individuals and creates a profit. We hope that he, and all others like him, will be successful and know they have a partner in Westchester County Government.”

(Editor’s Note:) Speaking on the air this morning, Mr. Latimer offered a strategy on what downtown small businesses needed to do. On WVOX Radio, 1460 AM, on his regular weekly radio appearance, this morning on the Bob Morrone Good Morning Westchester morning show, Mr. Latimer said it was important that small downtown businesses, connect more with their customers, build reasons for them to keep coming back, improve customer service and promote competitive convenience on line or through deliveries, for example, to compete with online services, and aggressively promote their online presence. He stressed that communities needed to promote the uniqueness of their downtowns to respond to the competition small businesses are facing. He noted restaurants are key components of a successful downtown retail environment.

Gearity said: “We are thrilled to see residents of Ossining recognizing there is an opportunity to open a small business here in our community – and who better than someone who really knows what their neighbors are looking for and what will succeed here.”

First Village Coffee is owned by Luis and Kathryn Corena and serves as a classic, yet unique, coffeehouse and social hub where locals and destination seekers alike enjoy specialty coffee and teas, pastries, art, music, community, and ambience.

The full press conference can be viewed HERE.