Catherwood LibraryILR School

The Realty Advisory Board and its doormen, porters, and maintenance workers, represented by the SEIU Local 32BJ, have reached an agreement which prevents what would have been the first strike since 1991. The new contract for the 30,000 building workers grants an average raise of $5,000 annually, that Hector Figueroa, President of the Local Chapter, says is necessary so that the workers can continue to afford to ?live in the city where they work.? The contract lasts until 2018, with the current one set to expire on the 20th of this month. The new deal maintains the benefits package from the previous contract including the employer contributions to employees? 401(k) and the healthcare coverage. Many of the buildings where the union members work have seen increased profit by raising rents, and therefore it would have been hard to deny the wage increase request.