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Navy Federal Credit Union plans to replace the union cleaning contractor at its Vienna headquarters with a non-union company on June 30, putting 61 office cleaners’ jobs and benefits in jeopardy.
The workers could lose their positions or be required to reapply, with no guarantee they would retain employer-paid health care, raises or other protections secured through their union contract.
Among those affected is Woodbridge resident Gimena Torrico, a mother of three who has type 2 diabetes. Losing her job and health coverage could leave her unable to afford insulin, potentially causing headaches, shaking, exhaustion and fainting spells. Her cousin recently died from complications associated with the same condition.
Torrico also fears unemployment would make it difficult to pay for housing and food or keep her son enrolled in soccer and after-school activities.
The planned contractor change has drawn criticism from advocates who say it conflicts with Navy Federal’s stated commitment to the military community and financial well-being. They argue that stable, well-paying union jobs help workers support their families and can reduce racial wealth disparities.
Union households have median wealth three times higher than non-union households among Black families and five times higher among Hispanic families, according to figures cited by the contractor’s critics.
Navy Federal holds more than $190 billion in assets. Opponents of the change are urging the credit union to retain its existing union contractor and protect the livelihoods of the cleaners who maintain its headquarters.
The dispute also comes amid efforts in the Virginia General Assembly to expand worker protections. Democratic majorities have considered measures involving paid sick leave, guaranteed overtime for domestic service workers, prevailing wages for public utility employees and collective bargaining rights for public workers.