New York, NY – The 32BJ Bargaining Committee announced a tentative four-year agreement early this morning on a contract for 28,000 residential building workers in New York City that provides an 8.5% pay increase over the life of the contract, maintains fully employer-paid health care coverage and keeps pension benefits secure.
“This $7.3 billion contract provides real gains for building service workers when most working people in this country are seeing their living standards decline,” said Mike Fishman, 32BJ President. “ 32BJ members successfully prevented employer cutbacks in wages, health care and benefits. Further, the four-year contract is an important step toward stability for workers and the industry.”

The tentative agreement will provide an additional $297 million in health care coverage – a 48% increase from the previous contract.

“The contract is an important victory for 32BJ members who stood together and fought hard to maintain health care for themselves and their families,” said Fishman.

The four-year agreement between 32BJ and the Realty Advisory Board was reached at 1 a.m., just one hour past the formal expiration of the previous contract. The tentative contract must be ratified by the union membership and the RAB’s Board of Directors.