Strike Averted as the Building Workers Union and the RAB Reach an Accord
April 11, 2014 — The specter of a strike of has vanished as the union for 30,000 building service workers reached a tentative agreement with the real-estate association representing New York City landlords and co-op / condo boards, well over a week before the April 20 deadline.
Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Realty Advisory Board for Labor Relations (RAB) each announced a tentative contract accord Friday afternoon.
Héctor J. Figueroa, president of the local, said in a statement he was "happy to report that we have reached a strong and reasonable settlement with no givebacks, our pension and healthcare protected, and a strong wage increase that keeps ahead of inflation and the rising cost of living."
"I commend the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations and 32BJ SEIU for working together to achieve a fair and mutually beneficial agreement," Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) president Steven Spinola stated, adding, "I'm pleased this means there will be no disruption of service for the people we serve. This agreement should serve as a model for other labor negotiations, the best evidence of a fair and solid agreement is when both sides make concessions, as happened here."
By the Numbers
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The RAB calculated as average wage increase of 2.71 percent each year over the four-year contract, or approximately 11.3 percent total. bringing wages for a typical doormen or porter from $44,389 to $49,402 by 2018. There is a 3.4% total average annual increase for wages plus benefits.
Weekly wages for doormen and porters rise $25.60 this month, increasing additionally in varying amounts annually through April 2017. Supers will see a $28.60 weekly increase, while handymen and women will get an extra $27.60 this month. Weekly wages for both supers and handymen and women will also increase annually through April 2017.
Total employer costs, including for salary, health care, pension, 401(k) and other benefits, will total $66,175 for doormen and porters for the April-to-April year, rising to $73,289 in April 2017.
New hires will progress to the wage rate in three steps, the union said, at 75 percent for the first 21 months, and 85 percent for the next 21 months, reaching the full wage after 42 months. The full terms of the contract, which includes unspecified "protections against background checks," will be mailed to union members for ratification.
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