A local union is fighting to save 30% of a Yonkers apartment complex maintenance crew that was laid off on Friday.

The labor dispute involves employees that the state considers essential during the coronavirus outbreak.

On Friday, nine workers of a 29-person maintenance crew at Crestwood Lake Apartments in Yonkers were given four hours' notice of their layoffs, according to their union 32BJ SEIU. 

The crews are responsible for maintaining the grounds, as well as cleaning and disinfecting all of the public areas in each of the buildings.

On March 22, Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered all nonessential businesses to close. but "building cleaning and maintenance" is not on that list. 

A total of 1,200 families live in the complex, according to the union which is now fighting for the workers to get their jobs back.

"The workers who are being laid off are what they consider to be non-essential workers. We think this is outrageous. All 29 workers are essential workers, they perform an essential service, protecting the tenants, cleaning and disinfecting. They put their bodies and their families' health on the line every day when they come to work," says 32BJ SEIU representative Lenore Friedlaender.

The layoff includes 25-year veteran employee and building supervisor Manny Rivera. 

"I was very, very shocked to hear that. You know? Especially when we're in a pandemic moment and everything is crucial at this time," he says. "We do want to serve you. We just want to have security as far as getting back to our work and paying for our families."

News 12 reached out to the Woodner Company, which is in charge of hiring staff there, but has not heard back.

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