ARLINGTON, Va.- Two dozen groundskeepers at Arlington National Cemetery protested for better pay and sick leave on Tuesday.
Mario Ramirez was one of the protesters who was joined by representatives from the Laborers' International Union of North America.
For 15 years, Ramirez has worked as a landscaper under Delaware-based Greenleaf Services, a subcontractor, and Ohio-based Davey Tree Expert Company. But, even as a longtime employee, he said he has never had a raise and that making a living gets more difficult by the day.
"Everything goes up," Ramirez said. "My rent goes up, the groceries and my wage stays stagnant."
"It's really hard to live off of that right now," he said. Most of the workers make around $13 an hour.
During the quiet protest, the group held signs with messages like "We Can't Afford to get Sick" and "Arlington cemetery workers deserve" respect. Some signs called on their employers to make a change.
Assisting Organization Director Keon Shim of the union tells WUSA9 negotiations have been unsuccessful over the last eight months. Shim said the companies have agreed to non-economic benefits like changes in grievance policies and breaks, but not wages.
In a statement, Greenleaf Services Inc. tells WUSA9 "we cannot comment on ongoing negotiations. However, we have been and will continue to engage in good faith negotiations with the union."
Company representatives have agreed to meet with union representative and workers Wednesday at 10a.m. in Arlington, VA.
ANC released the following statement: "Arlington National Cemetery is hopeful for a constructive and expedient resolution that is fair for all parties. The personnel represented by the Laborer's International Union of North America are not employees of the federal government, rather they are contract personnel employed by a federal contractor. As such, the Army and ANC take no position on this matter."
