BY DEAN MOSES
Homeless shelter security
offi cers and members of Local
32BJ of the Service Employees
International Union rallied
Monday for greater COVID-19
protections on the one-year anniversary
of the virus’ offi cial
arrival in New York City.
The attendees made a vociferous
scene outside the Bronx’s
Acacia Network corporate offi
ce on Monday afternoon, with
chants audible from blocks
away. Over 30 individuals
wielded signs in protest of what
they say have been lax safety
measures which has resulted in
the death of at least one security
offi cer.
This action is the culmination
of a year-long battle calling
for greater protection from
the deadly virus, something
they say they have not received
despite caring for some of the
city’s most vulnerable in homelessness
shelters throughout
New York.
Workers say the Acacia Network
has failed to meet multiple
CDC standards. Some of the
complaints include lack of PPE,
such as masks and hand sanitizer,
while also working under
what they cite as dangerous
conditions due to the lack of social
distancing.
According to local 32BJ
union leaders, many of those
who live in Acacia Network run
shelters are left unchallenged
for not wearing masks and employees
have not received training
on how to correctly screen
occupants.
The crowd admonished Acacia
Network, yelling “Essential
workers are under attack” and
“We are not expendable” while
also brandishing gigantic cardboard
masks and gloves. Protesters
also wore masks displaying
the number 365, showcasing the
amount of days they have been
fi ghting for the Acacia Network
to meet the CDC guidelines in
order to keep essential workers
secure from COVID-19.
The rally gathered to handdeliver
a letter addressed to
Raul Russi, the president &
CEO of Acacia Network regarding
their complaints, but fi rst
speakers shared stories from
their unconventional work
year.
BRONX TIMES R 32 EPORTER, MARCH 5-11, 2021 BTR
“We are forced to work in
conditions where clients are
walking around without masks,
putting our lives at risk. Sometimes
we don’t have any hand
sanitizer and no protective gear.
We are exposed to danger day by
day. We are forced to work long
shifts with no protection. People
are tested positive for COVID
and they remain around us. We
are asking that Acacia do something
to improve the situation,”
Irving James, a security offi cer
said.
The group also bowed their
heads in a moment of silence in
a show of solemn respect for the
loss of Michelle Pierre Lewis,
an Acacia security offi cer who
succumbed to COVID-19 related
complications, something they
feel could have been avoided if
the proper protections were in
place. Ron Wade a 32BJ executive
member with the union
has spent recent weeks speaking
with those working under
these conditions and says he is
appalled.
“We are here to support
these brothers and sisters in
their fi ght for better conditions
at these shelters. For 365 days a
year they have been here on the
front lines of COVID doing what
they are supposed to do, yet Acacia
has neglected to take care
of these workers. These workers
Homeless shelter security offi cers and members of Local 32BJ are demanding
COVID-19 protections for workers at Acacia Network. Dean Moses
are here to protect these
shelters, why won’t you protect
them? Why do they have to get
up and fi ght against COVID-19
you don’t acknowledge it is
real?” Wade said in disbelief.
In response to these accusations,
a representative from
Acacia Network stated that
contrary to the protesters’ remarks,
the company takes their
staff and clients’ safety very
serious and that they have followed
CDC protocols.
“At Acacia Network Housing,
the health and safety of
our staff and clients are our
top priority. Throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic, we have
implemented and ensured compliance
with proper health and
safety guidelines, including the
provision of suffi cient PPE at
our facilities and proper guidance
on their use. Since Acacia
Network began administering
COVID-19 vaccinations to
eligible individuals –including
frontline workers– at our primary
care clinics, we have offered
to vaccinate staff from our
homeless shelters, including security
guards. We take all concerns
raised by employees seriously,
and promptly address
them,” said Gabriela Gonzalez,
Director of Communications for
Acacia Network.
The rally culminated with
four participants handing in a
letter to the President & CEO of
Acacia Network, Raul Russi.
Homeless shelter security
offi cers in Bronx rally to
demand COVID-19 protections
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