A week before the old contract was set to expire, 32BJ SEIU—the union representing New York's 30,000 building workers—and city landlords successfully came to an agreement on a new four-year labor contract, averting a possible strike on April 20.
Both sides settled on an 11.3 percent raise over the next four years. By 2017, the average salary for doormen will rise from $44,389 to $49,402. The deal will also maintain current healthcare and pension benefits.
Although the union must still ratify the agreement, both sides seem happy with the agreement.
"We are proud to say that we have made it a little easier for 30,000 New Yorkers to make this city their home," said president of 32BJ, Hector Figueroa "In a city that has become increasingly unequal, this contract will keep 30,000 building workers on a pathway to the middle class, which will also benefit the communities in which they live."
Likewise, Howard Rothschild of the Realty Advisory Board (who represented city landlords) expressed satisfaction.
"We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement well before the contract deadline," he said. "We have once again shown how labor and management can sit down and work together with a shared purpose and find common ground. This unprecedented early contract will allow workers, building owners and New Yorkers to go about their normal routines without having to worry about what will happen over the holidays."
· "Union for New York City's doormen, handymen gets contract, averts strike" [NYDN]