Put signs down, four-year contract won’t be reopened

It’s good news for union members who were ready to strike in response to the four-year contract they negotiated being reopened. In a joint statement, the Local 32BJ SEIU and Bronx Realty Advisory Board announced the labor agreement would not be reopened and will continue to be in effect through its four-year term as agreed last year.

“This means 1,400 essential building service workers who work across 430 buildings in the Bronx now have the security of a continued contract that will afford them fair wages and benefits for the next three years,” the joint statement read. “These workers have faced rising prices for the essentials of life and increased workloads coming out of the pandemic.”

Several members learned this news during a membership meeting at Christopher Columbus High School on Monday, April 1. Angel Ortega, superintendent at Briar Oaks and senior north regional shop steward of 32 BJ, was present at the meeting and called it a victory for the Bronx.

“The pressure of the politicians and local activists and union members forced them to retract the opener,” Ortega said. “A lot of it came from the efforts of the local politicians and members being active and getting the word out to the community that this was not warranted.”

The initial news of the realty board terminating the collective agreement settled last year was met with several rallies and marches. Two weeks ago, unionized members showed up on the steps of the Bronx Supreme Court to authorize a strike if the board followed on its promise of reopening the agreement.

Members no longer have to worry about the agreement being reopened, as the realty board only had the option to retract the agreement the first year, Ortega said. The union is currently in the second of the four-year agreement. Members described the contract as winning annual wage increases averaging 3 percent, maintaining benefits, and securing pensions.

Realty board president Billy Schur previously said the vote to authorize a strike failed to address rising expenses in the real estate industry, creating an unsustainable downward spiral for Bronx property owners. He called on building service workers and tenants to seek action and alternatives that protect housing affordability.

Now, in the “spirit of cooperation,” both the realty board and union are calling on Albany legislators to find solutions to create more affordable housing and allow for reinvestment in affordable housing in the Bronx and beyond.

“There are policy solutions on the table that create a sustainable future for all parties,” the joint statement read. “32BJ and the BRAB unite to call for regulations that will preserve affordability for NYC renters, and provide a sustainable future for owners of affordable housing.”

Schur echoed the sentiment in a separate statement, saying the board’s issues aren’t with the union or membership, but rather Albany. He cited rising interest and insurance rates, problems with vacancies, and other issues coming out of the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act for creating what he said is a hostile environment for property owners across the city and Bronx.

“We want the men and women who work tirelessly to make affordable housing run smoothly in the Bronx and to be financially rewarded for the efforts, but Albany and the union leadership need to face the facts,” Schur said. “These older buildings will not be able to stay afloat if current restrictions are not adjusted.”