Immigrant janitors say Hennepin County layoffs may have been age discrimination

More than a dozen immigrant janitors, organized by SEIU Local 26, marched into the Hennepin County Government Center to demand their jobs back following significant layoffs. The layoffs affected nearly a third of the janitorial workforce, raising concerns about potential age discrimination among older workers. Mercedes Ponce, a janitor with 12 years of experience, conveyed her distress over the layoffs, stating, “Now I have a lot of stress and I’m here for answers. ” SEIU Local 26 political director Samantha Diaz highlighted the rarity of such extensive layoffs during a contractor transition, emphasizing that it is typically just the company name that changes. Workers have begun filing complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding their dismissals, alleging discrimination.

Hennepin County confirmed it does not directly employ janitors but provides feedback to contractors about personnel performance. Kleen-Tech, the new contractor, stated it hired ten individuals from the previous company, ABM. The union argues that Hennepin County must address the situation, given its claims of supporting immigrant workers.