POINT MUGU : Navy Base Janitors Strike Over Benefits
About 40 civilian janitors at the Point Mugu Naval Air Weapons Station went on strike Thursday, protesting that they have no employee benefits and low salaries.
Members of the Laborers International Union of North America, Local 585 picketed near the Navy base’s Wood Road entrance for most of the day Thursday, claiming that the Scottsdale,Ariz.-based janitorial firm, Teltara Inc., has refused to bargain in good faith onbenefits, salaries and other issues.
“We are very upset that the company does not want to come back to the table and discuss these issues,” said David Valenzuela, a spokesman for the picketers. “If we have to get our point across by striking, then so be it.”
The janitors vowed that they would remain on the Wood Road picket until both sides meet again at the bargaining table. The two sides met with a federal mediator earlier this month but could not reach an agreement. The union voted to strike Wednesday.
Robert Campbell, Teltara’s chief executive officer, said his company has bargained appropriately and pays its employees on average $3 more per hour than other commercial janitorial companies.
“We are doing all that we can given the restrictions of our contract with the Navy,” Campbell said. “It is true that we do not provide medical, dental and other benefits but we do pay our employees more than other firms.”
Navy officials said that because of federal contracting rules, Teltara must still honor its cleaning contract with the Navy. Company officials said they will rely on non-striking employees, temporary employees and management officials to do the job.
Point Mugu officials said the labor action cause no disruptions at the base Thursday.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
