
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A group of Jacksonville workers say they want some answers. They did the work, but they have not been paid. "It's a recession going on. I have bills to be paid, rent, gas, water, lights, a car note," says Geanine Waters. She is one of about a dozen workers wondering how they will take care of their kids and bills. "I need my bills paid. I worked for this money, I want the money." Waters and the rest of the group say they haven't been paid for work they did weeks ago for a company located on Park Street called GA Maintenance.
They say the company hired them to work seven days, ten hours a day. Their job was to keep bathrooms clean at a large event. Their paychecks, they say, were due earlier this week.
"She told me Tuesday to call her after 2 p.m., the checks will be in, and nothing. She said call back Wednesday. She hung up the phone."
Waters hasn't stopped calling, and Friday morning she says she finally got a call back. "She tells me I have nothing to discuss with you, have nothing for you. I would appreciate it if you don't call this number again. I said 'what are you trying to say, you not gonna pay me?'"
According to state records, the company is owned by Glenda Allen. Its website says GA Maintenance prides itself in going "above and beyond" in its services.
First Coast News tried talking to Glenda Allen. She did not return numerous phone calls. She also did not answer the door to her business.
Court records show Allen and her company have numerous financial issues.
In the last year, Allen and GA Maintenance were ordered to pay about $30,000 to financial institutions.
The state just issued a warrant for Allen on $6,874.91 in delinquent taxes. Her home was foreclosed.
"We can't work for free," says Waters. The group doesn't care about Allen's financial problems. They just want what they say they earned. "Just pay us and you wouldn't have any other problems with us."
The company's website says it is a member of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. First Coast News has learned the company dropped its membership at the beginning of May.
First Coast News has also learned that the First Coast African American Chamber of Commerce has received complaints about the company.
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Created: 5/29/2009 4:51:21 PM 



