About 34,000 workers in residential buildings across New York City could go on strike as early as April 20.<\/p>\n
Doormen, supers, porters, and handymen are threatening to walk off the job over a dispute over wages and benefits.<\/p>\n
The last time the city’s union residential building workers went on strike was in 1991.<\/p>\n
Eyewitness News reported on their return to work after 12 days.<\/p>\n
Trash had piled up, and residents had never been so happy to see the doorman.<\/p>\n
“We always look out for them, they look out for us,” a resident said.<\/p>\n
Every four years, door staff and porters ask residents to support them once again, as their contract comes up for renegotiation.<\/p>\n
They are ready to strike on April 21 if 32BJ and building owners haven’t agreed to a deal.<\/p>\n
Bryant Cardona has been a union maintenance worker for 16 years in Crown Heights.<\/p>\n
“I get to feed my family. I’m a single dad. I get to meet a lot of interesting people in the building too,” Cardona said.<\/p>\n
With the rising cost of living, he’s glad to have a rent-stabilized apartment.<\/p>\n
“Because if I didn’t, I don’t know where I’d be at. I wouldn’t be in New York,” Cardona said.<\/p>\n
With 11 days left in their contract, and three bargaining sessions down, the union is still far apart with building owners.<\/p>\n
The Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, which represents the employers, says, “The likelihood of 0% rent increases across nearly one million rent-stabilized apartments in New York City for years during the entire life of this contract will significantly limit the industry’s ability to support wage growth.”<\/p>\n
It also says the average doorperson or porter earns about $62,000 a year, but costs employers more than $112,000.<\/p>\n
Part of the reason is that health care in their contract is still 100% covered.<\/p>\n
“Health care saves lives. I have coworkers, survivors of cancer and things of that nature. They possibly wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for 32 B-J’s health care. So we’re looking forward to that continuing,” Lobby Attendant Teddy Francis said.<\/p>\n
“What we can’t do in these times of inflation is to take a step forward in wages and take a step backwards on health care. The number one reason people go into bankruptcy is health care,” SEIU Local 32 BJ President Manny Pasteich said.<\/p>\n
The board representing employers wants the workers to kick in for health care, saying 32 BJ members are among only 5% of American workers who don’t contribute anything.<\/p>\n
The union says members still enjoy premium and copay-free health care because of its bargaining power directly with health care systems, since the union is the fourth largest health care buyer in the state.<\/p>\n
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