–Strike Authorization Vote Clears the Way for Possible Work Stoppage on April 21st–
New York, NY – April 1, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Hundreds of apartment building workers in Brooklyn voted today to empower their bargaining committee with the authority to call a strike. The workers, who were joined by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, were the second group of workers in two nights to provide 32BJ’s bargaining committee with this power. Workers in Queens voted unanimously Tuesday authorizing a strike if necessary. The third and final vote will be held Thursday in Manhattan.
“Brooklyn families need wages and benefits that keep pace with the city’s high cost of living,” said Kyle Bragg, 32BJ Vice President for Residential Building Service Workers. “No one wants a strike, but we’re committed to do what it takes to get workers what they need.”
Contract negotiations between 32BJ SEIU and the Realty Advisory Board (RAB), an industry association representing most building owners, have been underway since March 9th for more than 30,000 New York City apartment building workers. The contract includes doormen, superintendents, resident managers, porters, handymen and concierges working at apartment buildings throughout Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and Manhattan.
“32BJ members provide essential services and keep more than a million tenants safe at our city’s residential buildings,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “These jobs—and all union jobs—are the backbone of the middle class in our city. We can never let our city end up being home to just the very rich and the very poor. In this tough economy, our unions must remain strong so hardworking New Yorkers can earn a living wage and receive quality benefits for themselves and their families.” Nearly 5,500 apartment building workers live or work in Brooklyn.
In the four years since the last contract, the consumer price index (CPI) in the New York City area has jumped 11.3%. The cost of milk and other everyday items have gone up, in some cases more than 10%.
“I work two jobs and it’s still not enough,” said Brooklyn building handyman and resident Marco King. “I want to continue living in New York, but as prices keep going up, I don’t think I can do that.”
Meanwhile, the value of residential real estate has grown by 28% in the city in the past four years.
“Despite the economic downturn, the New York real estate industry still boasts the lowest vacancy rate in the country and the highest average rent,” said 32BJ President Mike Fishman. “This $584 billion industry has more than enough to provide the workers who maintain their buildings with what they need to support their own families.”
Failure to reach a new contract by April 20, 2010 could lead to a strike of nearly 2,000 apartment building workers at more than 255 buildings in Brooklyn– and 30,000 building service workers citywide. A citywide strike could directly affect more than one million New Yorkers living in over 3,200 apartment buildings, co ops and condominiums throughout the city.
With more than 70,000 members in New York, 32BJ is the largest private sector union in the state. For more information, visit http://www.standwithbuildingworkers.org/press
Contact:
Kwame Patterson: 212-388-3676, 312-371-2485
Matt Nerzig: 212-539-2882, 917-584-0787
