Doormen's Union Reaches Tentative Deal Days Before Impending Strike

NEW YORK CITY — The doormen's union reached a tentative deal that could circumvent an impending strike in residential buildings across New York City, the group announced Tuesday.

The Realty Advisory Board and the 32BJ SEIU building workers union said they reached an agreement one day before the current contract expired and workers were ready to strike.

“We have a deal!" said 32BJ President Kyle Bragg. "This contract honors the indispensable contributions that 32BJ members made throughout the pandemic and includes pay bonuses – a powerful recognition of our members’ sacrifice.”

The deal must be ratified by union members but includes many asks demanded, such as employer-paid healthcare, sick leave, vacation benefits and what the union described as historic pay raises.

Workers will see a 12.6 percent salary increase over four years and a $3,000 essential worker bonus, according to an online press release.

The contract, if ratified, would cover 32,000 workers in more than 3,000 buildings throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island, according to the release.

Those building workers provide services to 555,000 apartments and their 1.5 million residents.

The agreement averts what would have been the first doormen's strike in New York City since 1991.

"The industry is proud to have reached a fair agreement that will continue to create and support middle class jobs for more than 30,000 workers over the next four years," Realty Advisory Board President Howard Rothschild.

"We would like to thank all residential building service workers for their tireless dedication and commitment during a tremendously challenging period."