Labor Hotline |
1997
32B-32J WITHDRAWS
FROM COLLECTIVE BARGAINING (AGAIN!)
Also see:
New York, Feb. 20, 1997 -- The contract between Local 32B-32J of the
Building Service Employees International Union and residential buildings
in the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island will
expire at midnight on Sunday, April 20, 1997. Most residential buildings
in these boroughs are members of the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations,
Inc. (RAB) which represents them in the negotiation of a successor contract.
On February 20, 1997, many of these residential buildings received notification
that the Union has withdrawn from multi-employer bargaining and proposed
to negotiate individually with every building.
Local 32B-32J has made this announcement prior to each of the last six
contract negotiations. Do not be concerned by this as it neither strengthens
nor weakens the position of the Union or of management.
If your building is a member of the RAB, you can continue to count upon
the RAB to negotiate on your behalf for a successor contract. The pattern
contract that will be negotiated will then be sent to all RAB member buildings
for ratification.
If you are contacted by the Union, do not become involved in a separate
negotiation. Simply advise the Union representative that the RAB is your
bargaining representative.
DO NOT SIGN ANY AGREEMENT WITH THE UNION
The Union representative may approach your building with a contract that
will provide for increases in wages and benefits, but promises you any
better terms that the RAB eventually obtains. The Union will ask that
you sign this agreement now and thus keep your workers on the job if a
strike should occur. Although this prospect may appear tempting, PLEASE
RESIST. When RAB's members defect to a "ME TOO" agreement, this
erodes the organization's negotiating strength.
CNYC is represented on the RAB negotiating team. There we work with the
rest of the residential real estate industry to negotiate a contract that
treats our employees fairly and is also affordable to building owners.
As resident homeowners, we in cooperatives and condominiums have a special
stake in ensuring that a strong and fair contract is negotiated.
CNYC's strike preparation booklet will be sent to all member buildings
in March. Additional copies can be purchased for $5. |
