Catherwood LibraryILR School

30,000 New York City doormen, handymen, and concierges agreed not to strike today after a deal was reached between the Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ and NYC building owners. The strike, which would have been the first of its kind in almost 20 years, might have had tenants taking out their own trash and delivering their own mail - what some have called 'a New York City social crisis.' The union's previous contract expired at midnight on April 21, but talks continued in the face of progress, until an agreement was reached this morning. The new contract covers four years, and does provide for some wage raises - a sticking point for the union. The raises and benefit increases average out to less than 3% a year. The contract must still be ratified by union members.