More than 34,000 workers for residential buildings in New York City, including doormen, porters, and superintendents, could walk off the job next week if an agreement can’t be reached in the coming days.<\/p>\n
Things could soon come to a screeching halt at The Majestic on the Upper West Side, and roughly 3,500 other buildings in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.<\/p>\n
Thousands of members of 32BJ will rally and vote to authorize a strike on Wednesday, the results of which could pave the way for workers to walk off the job beginning as early as next Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Izzy Torres has worked for 31 years at The Majestic, following in his father’s footsteps, who was also a doorman.<\/p>\n
“If we have to, we will stay here whatever time it takes for us to get what we deserve,” Torres said.<\/p>\n
The main sticking points in the negotiations include wages, pensions, the formation of Tier II structure, and healthcare.<\/p>\n
Under the current four-year deal, members have full family coverage and do not contribute money to the plan.<\/p>\n
Torres is a father of three.<\/p>\n
“My son is 22 and he’s still under my healthcare, we have to fight for that,” Torres said.<\/p>\n
But the Realty Advisory Board insists that model isn’t sustainable, pointing out the average door person makes about $62,000 a year, but costs employers more than $112,000, partly because of healthcare. The Realty Advisory Board says it also has to add in the possibility of a 0% increase on rent-stabilized apartments.<\/p>\n
The last strike was in 1991 and lasted 12 days.<\/p>\n
“The building occupants got together and kept the building going,” said Upper West Side resident Mark Blechner.<\/p>\n
The vote to authorize a strike is set for 3 p.m. on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
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