Month: October 2025

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2025 — The Cleaning Coalition of America (CCA) today applauded the reintroduction of workforce development legislation led by Reps. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas). The bipartisan Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (EWEA) aims to address critical labor shortages and strengthen employment opportunities for U.S. workers.

“The business community is calling on Congress to provide market-driven solutions that bolster our workforce and protect American jobs,” said Patrick Dunnigan, executive director of the CCA. “The CCA applauds Reps. Smucker and Cuellar for reintroducing this much-needed legislation in the 119th Congress.”

EWEA would establish a new nonimmigrant visa category to help fill year-round, in-demand jobs in the United States that do not require a college degree. By issuing up to 85,000 temporary worker visas in areas with low unemployment, the H-2C temporary worker program aims to ease worker shortages and reduce inflationary pressure in the job market.

The nation’s commercial cleaning industry continues to experience significant recruitment challenges. While highlighted during the pandemic, this prolonged, sector-wide labor shortage of frontline employees creates ongoing operational challenges for property managers in specific U.S. markets.

U.S. employers seeking to hire H-2C workers would first need to demonstrate to federal authorities that no local American workers are available to fill the position. Once approved, companies may hire eligible, vetted workers from abroad who can work for the approved employer for up to nine years.

The Critical Labor Coalition (CLC), of which CCA is a member, lists passage of EWEA as one of its top legislative priorities.

“The Critical Labor Coalition applauds Congressmen Smucker and Cuellar for their continued leadership in addressing America’s workforce challenges,” CLC Executive Director Misty Chally said. “EWEA is a commonsense solution that creates legal pathways for employers to fill in-demand positions in the face of an ongoing labor shortage.”

About CCA

Founded in 2020 by the nation’s leading facilities services companies, the Cleaning Coalition of America advocates on behalf of professional cleaners nationwide to shape and advance balanced, common-sense policies and cleanliness standards that promote a safe and healthy workplace.

CHICAGO, Oct. 30, 2025 — The Cleaning Coalition of America (CCA) today announced its opposition to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to impose a new workforce headcount tax on Windy City employers. The revenue proposal is part of Johnson’s $16.6 billion budget package, which is now under consideration by Chicago’s City Council.

“CCA members provide well-paying, full-time union jobs throughout the Chicagoland area,” CCA Executive Director Patrick Dunnigan said. “This proposal poses a threat to our members’ small-margin businesses and to the livelihoods of their essential-worker employees.” 

As proposed, Johnson’s budget plan would create a $21-per-employee monthly surcharge on companies that employ 100 or more full-time employees. Covered employees must work primarily within Chicago’s city limits, which also include two major airports: Chicago Midway International Airport and O’Hare International Airport.

The Chicago City Council previously repealed a corporate head tax more than a decade ago.

“As we learned during the pandemic, cleaners are essential, frontline employees who show up every day, do hard work and keep our communities safe,” Dunnigan said. “Since the city is proposing to use the additional tax funds for public safety, why are we proposing to tax the very people who kept us safe?”

About CCA

Founded in 2020 by the nation’s leading facilities services companies, the Cleaning Coalition of America advocates on behalf of professional cleaners nationwide to shape and advance balanced, common-sense policies and cleanliness standards that promote a safe and healthy workplace.