PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dominic De Leon, Commercial Cleaning Company Owner, on Intro 991-B
3:48:02
·
155 sec
Dominic De Leon, a small business owner of a commercial cleaning company, testifies against Intro 991-B, arguing that it would unfairly impact third-party vendors like his business and harm workers. He emphasizes the positive impact his company has on immigrant and minority workers, and expresses concern about the bill's potential to force seasonal hotels to lay off employees during off-seasons.
- De Leon argues that banning third-party partnerships between hotels and businesses like his is not related to worker safety concerns.
- He highlights how his business model allows for continuous employment of workers even during hotel off-seasons by moving them between different locations.
- De Leon pleads with the council not to pass the bill, stating it would put him out of business and take away opportunities for his 70+ employees.
Dominic De Leon
3:48:02
Hi.
3:48:03
My name is Dominic De Leon.
3:48:04
I'm a small business owner who started a commercial cleaning company back in 2015.
3:48:08
I am one of the 3rd party vendors you were trying to put out of business.
3:48:12
So far today, I've heard a great deal about safety of workers.
3:48:15
No one is looking to put any employee in an unsafe environment.
3:48:19
What I fail to understand is how banning third party partnerships between hotels and businesses like mine have any due to safety measures.
3:48:27
Yes, there are bad actors.
3:48:28
There are bad actors in almost every single industry.
3:48:31
But those actors, bad actors are extreme minority.
3:48:35
But to destroy the lives in the of the majority who are not bad actors, who are pro employees, care about their teams, is not fair and just.
3:48:43
It seems to be it seems this is a part of the bill that has not been spoken about yet and has the biggest impact on small businesses and workers.
3:48:52
We pride ourselves on working with small boutique hotels for housekeeping services who many are seasonal locations.
3:48:59
We hire mainly legal immigrants and minorities looking for opportunity, which not only have we been given them the opportunity, but many has been very successful.
3:49:09
Some have now grown to management and have are earning over a $100,000 a year allowing them to buy homes, provide for their families, and have true careers.
3:49:17
In the seasonal hotels during the off season, the staffing levels drop almost by 50%.
3:49:22
Being a third party to these hotels, I can take those employees and move them to other hotels and keep everyone working and making money.
3:49:30
This bill will force hotels to let go of employees.
3:49:33
They're in the downtimes, and these people will lose their jobs and their incomes.
3:49:36
We have an in-depth training program that allows our teams to go in and become skilled laborers for these hotels at a fair wage for everyone to thrive.
3:49:45
Businesses helping businesses which are also as good for the employees.
3:49:49
This is my entire livelihood.
3:49:50
You you all preach how pro business you are, especially how pro small business you are.
3:49:56
I am the small business you are supposed to care about.
3:49:59
And with the signature of this passing the law, you're closing my business and taking away my livelihood.
3:50:03
That took me nearly a decade to build.
3:50:06
All the hard work and sacrifice will be gone.
3:50:10
How is that fair?
3:50:10
How is it fair?
Julie Menin
3:50:11
I'm just gonna ask you to wrap up, please.
Dominic De Leon
3:50:13
I'm almost done.
3:50:14
Yes.
3:50:16
You are literally putting me out of business and taking away opportunity for 70 plus employees We have work we have working for us.
3:50:22
I beg you to understand that you are hurting small businesses, ruining livelihoods of many, and adding the burden to operate in an extremely difficult city to do business.
3:50:32
Do not pass this bill and please take care of the small businesses and the people that you say you care about.
