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Union and residents raise contractor compliance and senior‑housing security concerns at Newark council public comment
Summary
Public commenters, including 32BJ and residents of senior housing, alleged Pro Cop Security underpaid guards, violated prevailing wage and local‑hire requirements, and left shifts early; the council referred legal complaints to the law department and requested departmental follow‑up.
During the council’s public comment period on June 16, union representatives and residents raised accusations about contractor compliance and safety in city‑contracted facilities.
Carla Thomas, assistant district leader and director for security at SEIU 32BJ, told the council she represents thousands of building service and security workers across the region and said Pro Cop Security, a city contractor, has a documented pattern of alleged violations. Thomas said 32BJ has over 100 pay stubs and 20 signed affidavits from guards claiming they received pay of $25 per hour with no health benefits and that the contractor admitted underpaying staff in a text message. She said the contractor failed to submit required progress reports demonstrating compliance with local prevailing wage and local‑hire requirements and is under investigation by the National Labor Relations Board according to her remarks.
The council directed the matter to the city law department and other appropriate departments for review; Corporation Counsel and the clerk said legal aspects should be handled administratively rather than debated in open session.
Multiple residents also raised safety and oversight issues at senior housing and detention settings. Janet Ward described restrictive policies and locked front doors at her building (220 Jellof Avenue) and called them “degrading,” saying seniors had been left to provide building security. Another commenter described capturing video evidence of security staff leaving shifts early at a senior building after a recent violent incident and asked the BA and the city to clarify reporting protocols and accountability for assault complaints.
Separately, Deborah Salters criticized the timing and focus of a resolution urging action on Delaney Hall, questioned where displaced people would go if facilities were closed, and compared contemporary responses to past mistreatment of Black detainees; sponsors responded that the resolution targets mistreatment and that similar concerns exist across institutions.
The council recorded that the allegations and evidence presented during public comment would be forwarded to the law department and relevant city offices for investigation and potential administrative remedies. No finding or adjudication was made on the council floor during the session.
