48 hours after 10,000 members of 32 BJ turned at a massive rally on Park Avenue in Manhattan and voted to strike, their union announced a landmark tentative contract that the deal boosts their pay by $4.50 an hour. Over the four year arc of the contract the average annual salary will be over $70,000.
The contract still must be ratified by the members. It covers 34,000 building service workers who cover 1,000 buildings that are home t0 1.5 million New Yorkers.
“We won this agreement because we showed that we were truly ready to strike," Felix Figueroa, Upper West Side concierge doorman, who serves on the 32BJ Bargaining Committee member. "We conducted hundreds of Strike Ready actions, we rallied 10,000 strong on Park Avenue, and we enlisted 1,400 volunteer Strike Captains."
"This agreement honors the indispensable contributions 32BJ members make to our city," said Manny Pastriech, president of 32 BJ. "This agreement honors the indispensable contributions 32BJ members make to our city. I want to thank Howard Rothschild and the residential industry for working in good faith and reaching a fair deal for both sides.”
Earlier in the negotiations, the Real Estate Advisory Board, which represents building owners, had put forward a two tier proposal which the union rejected.
The union held the line on its health benefits with no premium sharing and a 15 percent increase to their guaranteed pension. The new pact calls for immigration training for employers as well as immigration ‘Know Your Rights and Benefits’ postings in union workplaces.
On Wednesday, on Park Avenue with the April 20 contract deadline looming, rank and file spirits were running high as Mayor Mamdani took the stage and engaged the massive crowd in a call and response. The under four minute speech was the most pro-labor speech given by a sitting New York City Mayor in living memory which added extra gravity to the moment.
"We stand here with towering buildings alongside us--who paints the walls---keeps the heat on---takes out the trash---32---." Mamdani asked.
"32 BJ," the crowd roared back.
"Who keeps the elevators running, shovels snow and welcomes residents---32--,"Mamdani queried the crowd.
"32 BJ," the 10,000 union members yelled as one.
"I know I am speaking to those who handle DoorDash deliveries for so many but when it comes time for them to go to the grocery store are struggling to afford what they need. I know I am speaking to those who look after luxury cars but sometimes have to be stuck in the slowest buses in the United States of America to get home," Mamdani asserted.
The last time the union had to resort to a strike was in 1991 for 12 days.
Backstage, 48 hours before the union bargaining committee would find common ground with the Real Estate Advisory Board, Manny Pastriech reflected on the singular challenge of reaching a deal in such an uncertain and tumultuous time at home and abroad.
"I think what's different now is the world is so uncertain the cost of everything is going up so much more and and that puts an incredible pressure on this bargaining when the cost of rent has gone up so much--the cost of groceries---the cost of gas has gone crazy," Pastriech told WBAI Pacifica Labor Radio. "We really need to make sure that our members can afford to live in this city."
Rally attendee 32 BJ member Charles Vega is a doorman at a Park Avenue building with just 60 units. Vega said the stability and security of a good union job made it possible to go above and beyond his job title to support the families he serves.
"You build personal relationships with the shareholders [families in residence]---they are like an extended family," Vega said. "I am the tech guru of the building and for my older shareholders when they have issues with their computer I'll help them with that. We wear different hats."
During the mass death event that was COVID, which killed tens of thousands sof essential workers across the country, Vega reflected on his experience.
"In my building a lot of people left the city and as things were happening I remember the first time I experienced someone with COVID very early on and we didn't have the proper gear--I didn't have a mask. It was tough to ride the subways," Vega recalled. "A few of our members passed away including the Super [a union member] in the building next door."
PLUS: How Donald Trump's hatred of solar and wind power are helping to drive electric rates higher while bringing the planet closer to the breaking point by his promoting fossil fuels AND Earth Day preview of Rev. Billy & Savitri D and the Stop Shopping Choir Earth Riot Radio's 24 Hour Sermon at JP Morgan Chase, the world's financier of the climate crisis and fossil fuel.
