Overview
- More than 34,000 doormen, porters, supers, and maintenance workers in 32BJ SEIU are readying for a walkout as negotiations with the Realty Advisory Board remain far apart before the current contract expires.
- The union is seeking wage increases, employer-paid health coverage with no premiums, and stronger pensions, while building owners push for workers to contribute to health costs.
- Managing companies have told residents to expect losses of key services if a strike starts, including front-desk security, package handling, cleaning, and trash removal.
- Real estate owners argue that a likely rent freeze for nearly one million rent-stabilized apartments would cap revenue and limit how much they can raise pay.
- The last strike by these workers in 1991 lasted 12 days and caused citywide building-service disruptions, a reference point for what New Yorkers could face if talks fail.