NEW YORK LABOR LEADERS OFFER STRIKE SUPPORT FOR 32BJ

Unions stand together to fight for a fair contract

by New York Real Estate Rama

New York, NY – December 29, 2011— Only two days remain before the contract covering 22,000 building service workers in New York City expires. If the clock runs out at midnight on Dec. 31, 2011 without a fair and equitable deal in place for hardworking 32BJ members, New York’s labor community is prepared to back them in a strike.

“The resources of the 2 ½ million member New York State AFL-CIO are at the full disposal of 32 BJ for as long as it takes to reach a contract agreement. With 3,000 local union affiliates across the state, we will stand side by side with our 32 BJ brothers and sisters throughout these negotiations. This is not just about what happens in the next few days. These negotiations are about the future of our city, and what kind of city we want to leave to the next generation,” says Mario Cilento, President of NY State AFL-CIO.

The top salary of a commercial cleaner in NYC is $22.65 an hour, or $47,000 a year but building owners still say workers are earning too much. The real estate industry wants to rollback salary and benefit packages, while it’s recorded billions in sales activity this year alone.

“Whether it’s for a private sector union like 32BJ, or a public sector or building trades union, the New York City Central Labor Council is always going to stand up for fair wages and contracts,” says Vincent Alvarez, President of the CLC. “The labor community is committed to working together to fight for fairness in the workplace and protecting the wages and benefits of the hardworking men and women of New York City.”