The Centennial Towers Tenant Union: Tenants unionize Pawtucket high rise owned by powerful Carpionato Group
"Carpionato, we, the tenant union, demand that you meet with us to negotiate a collectively bargained lease. It’s time to negotiate, not retaliate.”
Tenants of Centennial Towers in downtown Pawtucket announced on Wednesday that they have formed the Centennial Towers Tenants Union with supermajority support. They demand that their landlord, the powerful real estate corporation Carpionato Group, agree to negotiate a collectively bargained lease in good faith.
Centennial Towers is a project-based Section 8 building serving disabled and elderly Pawtucket residents and depends upon federal dollars for subsidy. Carpionato Group is one of the largest and most powerful real estate firms in Rhode Island. Their portfolio of residential and commercial properties across Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts includes the Crowne Plaza Hotel Warwick and Cranston’s Chapel View mall, as well as ten project-based Section 8 complexes, such as Centennial Towers.
Tenants organized with support from Reclaim Rhode Island, which is dedicated to helping tenants form unions across the state.
Here’s the video:
“We are here today at Centennial Towers in Pawtucket, with our allies, standing together and alongside the tenants of Centennial Towers,” said Siraj Sindhu, Executive Director of Reclaim Rhode Island. “We are joining the tenants of Centennial Towers who are fighting for the safe, secure, stable, and dignified homes that they deserve.”
Tenants demand that Carpionato address serious concerns. They contend that the building is rife with poor conditions, including broken elevators that pose a considerable challenge for the building’s elderly and disabled residents. Tenants also face frequent harassment from management, including landlord shakedowns over invented fees they do not in fact owe, backed by threats to evict. Carpionato must also cease retaliating against tenants for exercising their legally protected right to organize—retaliation that has included closing the building’s community room to obstruct their collective activity.
For instance, here’s a bill for an air conditioner recieved by Maria Lopez Soto:
Here’s where the air conditioner would be, if it existed:
Other problems include faulty heating over which tenants have no control, bug and rat infestations, and crumbling ceilings. In addition, management refuses to communicate with tenants who are monolingual in Spanish, Portuguese, or Cape Verdean Creole in their native tongue.
“These tenants have been enduring deplorable, unacceptable conditions and treatment,” continued Sindhu. “Their maintenance requests have gone unaddressed, and they’ve been mistreated and disrespected by management, and that ain’t right. These tenants have decided no more. They’re not going to take it anymore. Enough is enough.”
One example of “deplorable, unacceptable condition” : clear tape has been used to repair cracks in the walls:
“I’m a tenant organizer with Reclaim Rhode Island,” said Cherie Cruz, who is also an elected state representative from Pawtucket. “We are the Rhode Island Tenants Union. Rhode Island has close to 400,000 renters, 40% of the state, yet we’ve seen one of the highest rent increases in the country and one of the highest increases in homelessness in our state’s history. That ain’t right. Rents go up, quality goes down, and people get pushed out to the street. But tenants all over Rhode Island have a right to organize. That’s why tenants are coming together to fight, like the tenants here at Centennial Towers.”
Representative Cruz continued:
“They organized a supermajority of their neighbors, and they are now standing up and fighting back against their corporate landlord as the Centennial Towers Tenant Union. They’re fighting back against predatory fees that only line their corporate landlord’s pockets and shaking down tenants for rent they’ve already paid, or locking tenants out of their community room because they organized. That ain’t right. Leaving tenants trapped without an elevator for close to a year - some tenants missed their chemo treatments, some tenants suffered, unable to get out of their apartments, and many other horror stories you’ll hear about today from tenant leaders themselves.
“Let’s not get this twisted: This is a large corporate landlord with millions upon millions of dollars, so why does it take close to a year to fix an elevator that our seniors and people with disabilities need to be safe? Clearly, we see where their priorities lie, and it’s not with the tenants, right?
“It’s a choice. A choice to treat people as less than. A choice their corporate landlord has made. That’s why the Centennial Towers Tenant Union came together to fight back. That’s why the Rhode Island Tenants Union is here, standing side by side with them, because we’re not going to take it anymore. It’s time for a change. Carpionato, it’s time to meet with the tenants in good faith to negotiate a collectively bargained lease.
“And do not retaliate.”
“I’m done with the predatory fees,” said Jimmy Gonzalez, one of the leaders of the Centennial Towers Tenant Union. “Even though you pay your rent, Carpionato and National Investment continue to charge without explanation or a breakdown. They charge for items already covered by your rent and for normal wear and tear. Even when you ask for proof of these alleged charges, we are denied access to any written breakdown or ledger of the rent that we have already paid. Instead, they send maintenance staff to stick threatening letters on our doors to keep us in fear and shake down people for every last penny.”
Gonzalez continued:
“The shakedown ends now. Washing machines that don’t work and the ones that do are filled with rust and stains that ruin your clothes—locking our community room. Locking the bathrooms in the community area so seniors have to wet themselves, crying, and are embarrassed. Where’s the dignity and respect for people? I don’t get it. The simple things we should be afforded as tenants, we have to fight for. They think we are less than because we are not rich, because we are seniors, and because we are people struggling with disabilities.
“The only thing bad people like Carpionato and National Investment need is for good people like us and the people behind me [to stand up]. That’s why 70% of my neighbors came together to form my tenant union: to get our power back. Carpionato, we, the tenant union, demand that you meet with us to negotiate a collectively bargained lease. It’s time to negotiate, not retaliate.”
“We represent over 7,000 healthcare workers,” said Jesse Martin, Executive Vice President of SEIU 1199 New England. “I also wear a hat as the president of the SEIU State Council, which represents over 10,000 workers across human services, state services, and private-sector healthcare, as well as public-sector work. We stand with these tenant unionists because the fight for justice against corporate interests in our state is powerful. It doesn’t stop at the beginning or end of someone’s workday. If our communities do not have access to good schools and a good place to live, then our fight for justice needs to continue in our communities, not just in our workplaces.”
Martin continued:
“The power of working people doesn’t stop at the job. It never stops. We stand with SEIU and these tenants who are fighting for justice against a corporate entity that seeks to enrich the few at the expense of the many. That fight isn’t going to be easy because in this state, there is not a single town, municipality, or city that is affordable to live in. That is shocking. When the state minimum wage - thank God it’s going to $16 in January, that’s barely $32,000 a year. That’s only $50,000 a year. It should be at $25 or $26 an hour, but that’s only $50,000 a year.
“How dare a landlord like this one continue to jack up people for money, wrongfully, under this economy, when they are likely making far more than $16 an hour at the corporate level? Let’s be real about that.
“I challenge the people who make the decisions and who will be bargaining with you at the bargaining table. Let them live down the hall from you. We ask our employers in 1199, “Do you think healthcare workers deserve less? Then why don’t you live off what we make for a little bit and feel the pain?” Why don’t they live here and see if they can get to their doctor’s appointments without an elevator or working bathrooms? They are likely using a private laundry service to pick up from their homes, right? I’d like them to use the rusted-out laundry machine here and see how that Gucci suit lasts in that. And then, maybe, get to know the neighbors and the kind of community that this is, because with 70% of the tenants joining this union, that says something about the crisis in this building.
“And you know what it also tells me? It says something about all of you, about how you’ve got each other’s backs. And we’ve got your back. Bargain in good faith, because then we make progress. Don’t break the law, because if you do, the Rhode Island labor movement and this tenant’s union will hold you accountable.”
“My mother, Julia Ortiz Capo, is a leader of the Centennial Tower Tenants Union,” Waka Santana. “I’m here to defend my mom because what they are doing is not right. My mom’s stove has been broken since she moved here - seven years already, and they refused to replace it unless my mother pays $900. They painted the stove’s hood and said it was fixed.”
The “repaired” hood:
Ortiz Capo continued:
“Making money through rent is not enough for them. They try to keep more of their money for basics that are supposed to be included when tenants move in as part of the rent. My mother has been harassed and threatened with eviction several times. They accuse her of not paying her rent, which she did. The third time they tried to charge my mother for rent that she had already paid, I went to the office and advocated with my mom, showing rent receipts and asking them to stop harassing my mother. I had proof after tracking the money orders Carpionato cashed. Stealing from seniors and people with disabilities stops now.
“To add insult to injury, they called the police and filed a false report to stop me from advocating for and seeing my mother. It’s not fair. They do bad things to people who can’t speak up for themselves. Carpionato, time to negotiate, not retaliate!”
“Everywhere we turn today, we see the biggest and most powerful groups in our society taking from those who have nothing,” said Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos. “Big landlords are raising their tenants’ rents. Superstores are cheating their customers and their competitors. Every day in this economy, you pay more and you get less. Big companies want to use their muscle to shake you down and take every last cent in your pocket.”
Lieutenant Governor Matos continued:
“But real Rhode Islanders know that bigger isn’t always better. We have been the little guys for nearly 400 years, and we haven’t backed down from a bully yet. When someone comes here and tries to throw their weight around, they find out quickly that Rhode Islanders have each other’s backs. We saw it during the SNAP shutdown. We see it at every protest. And we are seeing it today as the tenants here at Centennial Towers stand up and remind their landlord that the working people of Rhode Island stand united.
“I am calling on the landlords to recognize the Centennial Towers Tenants Union immediately. It’s time to bargain in good faith with the residents of their building. Corporate landlords wield a lot of power in this economy. We won’t let that power be used to deprive communities of necessities like healthy food or safe shelter. I am proud of the tenants of Centennial Towers for banding together, organizing, and reclaiming their power.
“Today is a major step forward for all of us, not just the Tenant Union. Every organization like this brings us a little closer to an economy that works for everyone and where no one feels powerless. I am with you in the fight for an affordable Rhode Island. Thank you all for your bravery and your commitment to your community.”
“These tenants have been dealing with all kinds of mistreatment,” said Sirag Sundhu. “They’ve been dealing with all sorts of scams. And when they speak out, what does their landlord do? They closed the community room. They retaliate. That’s not right. That’s why it’s so important that these tenants stand together to demand what they deserve, and that our allies in the community, labor, and elected officials stand with them.”
“I’m proud and glad to see people getting together,” said Pawtucket City Councilor Clovis Gregor. “This building is not just brick and mortar, and it’s not just a source of corporate profit. It is your home. It means something to you, and you have the right to enjoy your home peacefully.”
Councilor Gregor continued:
“None of the things you’re asking for is unreasonable. You’re not living here for free. Federal and state grants partially pay your rent, and you pay your share. They’re not letting you live here for free, and with that, they have certain responsibilities. Some of the responsibilities owed to you as renters include the right to a functioning elevator and appliances.
“I would think it’s not in any corporate entity’s best interest to fight the formation of this union, because, if anything, it streamlines the process. When you have grievances, you have a process in place where you can go to one person to negotiate, discuss, and resolve the issue, rather than each person dealing with everyone individually.
“Social change, basic human rights, fair labor practices, and so forth would not be possible without people coming together to form unions. If these rights were freely given, there’d be no need for unions. But unions are, I believe, inherently necessary.”
“I’m fed up,” said Sandy, one of the leaders of the Centennial Towers Tenant Union. “This is my first apartment on my own, and this is nonsense. They think we have more than enough money to pay these fees. Fees that we have no idea what they are for. They think we have money lying around, but we don’t; we are struggling.”
Sandy continued:
“It’s not fair that they harass and threaten you to pay rent that you know you already paid two years ago . It’s a scam! A scam to take more money out of us, money we don’t have. They have plenty of money; why take it from us? Why force tenants to go to their bank, pay to track the check, only to confirm that Carpionato cashed it? Why continue to harass tenants only to find out that it’s bad management? Why hurt seniors and people with disabilities this way?
“We called the state, we called everyone, but nothing got done. That’s why we came together to organize. We’re not going to sit back anymore. Carpionato, we, the tenant union, demand that you meet with us to negotiate a collectively bargained lease. Carpianato, it is time to negotiate, not retaliate!”
“These tenants have been subjected to all kinds of mistreatment by their landlord,” added Siraj Sindhu. “They are calling, loud and proud, on their landlord to come to the table and negotiate in good faith and to stop retaliating.”
“I’m the executive director of Local 6516, we’re an affiliate of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers. Rhode Island, AFT,” said Michael Ziegler. “We represent around 2000 workers on Brown University’s campus. And I’m here today because, while we don’t have any members who live in this building, the vast majority of our union are renters. We have a saying in the labor movement: An injury against one is an injury against all. And I’ve heard about a lot of injuries today, which makes me angry. It makes our members angry. It makes us want to stand with you, which we will. We’re going to be there with you.”
Ziegler continued:
“We know a little something about the power of solidarity. You all are demonstrating that right now by being out here and explaining that a supermajority is ready to join the union. We did that too.
“When we started unionizing, grad workers were making poverty wages. When someone mentioned to the Brown President that we were planning to unionize, she laughed in our faces. I can tell you: we’re not making poverty wages anymore, and she isn’t laughing.
“And when you’re through with Carpionato, they’re not going to be laughing either. We’re going to be with you every step of the way to get you the dignity you deserve in the place where you come home.”
“I want to start with a quick story from the first night I was here. We’d been meeting in the lobby out here, and everybody was sharing stories and starting to understand what’s going on in this building,” said Caleb Madison, Organizing Director of Reclaim RI. Madison continued:
“Somebody told me: There was a tenant who lived here. I’m not going to say who it was, but she was a friend, a tenant who lived here and found roaches in her apartment. She brought it up to management, saying, ‘Hey, you need to get rid of these roaches.’ Pretty reasonable, no?
“What did management do? They said, ‘You brought the roaches in.’ Then what did they do? They evicted her. That’s not right. This building behind me is a project-based Section 8 building. To get an apartment like this, some people told me they waited five or 10 years.
“So she got evicted, and where did she go? The streets. The sidewalks, right around here.
“She died six weeks later.
“When we talk about organizing, about the power of the tenants, we understand two things:
“One, the landlord has tremendous power and leverage over these people. We ain’t just talking about losing a job. We’re talking about people’s lives. We’re talking about where they live. We’re talking about their families and their income—all these things.
“Two: The thing to recognize is the incredible bravery of every person standing here today. Imagine the threat they face for organizing and standing together. They could lose their home. They could lose their family. They could lose their safety and security. These folks are brave enough to say, ‘We ain’t going to take it anymore. We won’t take it anymore.’
“There’s a very special thing happening right now: For a long time, the ruling class has understood something that we haven’t understood. They don’t need any of us. They need all of us.
“When we are united, we cannot be broken. No matter how hard you try, Carpionato, it’s time to sit down and negotiate. It’s time to take these people and their concerns seriously. We look forward to seeing you at the table, and immediately following this meeting, we’ll send a letter requesting negotiations and setting dates to begin the bargaining process. We will demand the respect and dignity that tenants here deserve. No matter how much money they make, no matter where they’re from, or no matter what their background is.”
It was a great turnout of brave tenants standing up for their fundamental rights to basic dignity, respect and treatment. Thank you to State Representative Cherie Cruz, Reclaim Rhode Island and all those who showed up in support of the Centennial Towers residents including Lt. Governor Sabina Matos and Union Leaders Jesse Martin (SEIU 1199 New England) and Michael Ziegler (Local 6516 AFT).
As always, great job covering and reporting Steve!