Janitors who clean state office buildings in downtown Baltimore rallied outside the Maryland Department of Labor on Wednesday, accusing their cleaning contractor of paying less than the legal minimum and, in some cases, skipping paychecks altogether. The workers say they cover offices for multiple state agencies and showed up with local elected officials and union organizers, all calling for a formal state review of the contractor, CVVY Enterprises, which they contend is behind the alleged shortfalls.
According to WMAR2 News, the protesters, who are members of a local SEIU chapter, allege that CVVY has paid wages late, failed to meet required minimums, and fired workers after they participated in union activity. Baltimore City Council Member Odette Ramos addressed the crowd, urging state officials and contractors to value the people doing what she described as some of the city's toughest cleaning jobs. WMAR2 reports that the owner of CVVY did not respond to a request for comment.
How State Rules Apply
Maryland's Living Wage law requires certain contractors on state-funded service contracts to pay at least the state’s living-wage rate and gives workers the right to file a confidential complaint with the Division of Labor and Industry, according to the Maryland Department of Labor. The statute covers many maintenance and service contracts above specific dollar thresholds and allows state agencies to review payroll records and contract compliance when workers file complaints.
For context, the state’s tiered living-wage schedule lists a Tier 1 rate of $17.17 per hour for areas that include Baltimore, effective Sept. 29, 2025, according to the Maryland Department of Labor.
Union Claims and Contractor Response
Workers at the rally told reporters that several employees were dismissed without clear explanation and that some of those firings followed union organizing, echoing claims the local SEIU chapter has made publicly. WMAR2 News reports that the Maryland Department of Labor has confirmed CVVY is under investigation but has not released additional details. Union organizers say they plan to push for restitution and back pay if state investigators ultimately find violations.
What Enforcement Can Look Like
If investigators determine that wage laws were violated, federal and state rules outline several ways to recover money and impose penalties. The U.S. Department of Labor notes that agencies can supervise payment of back wages, seek civil penalties, and in some circumstances pursue injunctions or litigation, while employees themselves may bring private lawsuits for unpaid wages and damages. Federal guidance also points to statutes of limitation that generally allow investigators to look back two years, or three years in cases of willful violations, when calculating what might be owed.
The downtown rally puts a spotlight on how carefully the state is monitoring contractors working inside its own buildings and whether those companies are meeting living-wage and timely-pay requirements. Organizers say they plan to keep the pressure on for a transparent review and for any back pay that state investigations determine is due.
