Union Reaches Last-Minute Deal That Averts Strike By Thousands of NYC Building Workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/8166

A strike by building workers in the Bronx was narrowly averted early Thursday morning. Jesse Russell reports:

As of late Wednesday nearly 4000 maintenance workers, porters, and doormen in the New York City borough of the Bronx were ready to walk off the job. However, a last minute deal reached between their union SEIU Local 32BJ and the Bronx Realty Board averted that strike. If the workers had walked out, more than 300 buildings could have felt the impact. The new contract will give the workers a wage increase of roughly $20 per week as well as increase pensions and improve worker training programs and health care. Local 32BJ Executive Vice President, Kyle Bragg said he was thinks the workers will ratify the new contract:

: They deserve respect and dignity on the job. One way of doing that is to be able to come to work with a peace of mind, knowing that you make a livable wage and that you have benefits in place that will provide security for yourselves and your family

This new contract will be good for three years.