Who is 32BJ?
With more than 175,000 members, we are the largest union of property service workers in the U.S. We are concentrated in the Northeast – in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. – but our reach extends to southern Florida. We work primarily as cleaners, property maintenance workers, doormen, security officers, window cleaners, building engineers, and school and food service workers, and airport workers.
Our mission is to build and grow a diverse, effective, politically independent and democratic organization of workers to change our lives for the better, improve our communities, and build a more just society for present and future generations.
We recognize our successes and learn from our setbacks. We strive to be strategic, organized, inclusive, honest, respectful, optimistic and confident.
What does 32BJ mean?
What information can I find in my contract?
- Benefits: Employers pay for 32BJ members’ benefits because by being united in the union, workers have the power to insist that they do. The contract lists how much employers are required to pay for 32BJ members’ benefits. Member dues do not pay for benefits! It easy to find out what you have. Click here to enter your worksite address and get all the details on your benefits.
- Seniority: A member’s seniority is of utmost importance. You should understand the various articles in your contract where seniority is relevant. These include, but are not limited to, vacations, layoff and recall, bumping rights and termination pay.
- Time off: Each contract has specific rules for granting members time off for vacations, holidays, sick days, leaves of absence, etc. Members should be familiar with the amount of time they are entitled to, the seniority provisions that apply and the specific days allowed.
- Time off provisions that are important to know are:
- Vacations
- Sick leave
- Holidays
- Personal days
- Leaves of absence
- New parent leave for pregnancy and adoption
- Bereavement leave when a close family member dies
- Family and medical leave
- Workers’ compensation and disability leave
- Union shop: The “union shop” provision in the contract requires that all employees pay dues to the union, or the appropriate “agency fee,” after their 30th day of work. This is a condition of employment under our contract. Workers who do not meet this requirement can be terminated.
- Wages: Wage rates for each job category covered by the contract are listed in the contract. Members need to be familiar with the proper wage rates for workers at their worksite, as well as the dates on which they are effective.
What do union dues pay for?
- Contract negotiations. 32BJ puts the skills and resources of the entire union to work to negotiate the best contracts possible. This includes a bargaining team of union officers and member-leaders, with attorneys, researchers, union representatives, organizers and communications staff to back them up. Bargaining strong contracts also often requires staff who can mobilize members in workplaces, hold rallies and events to build community support and put pressure on employers so workers win strong contracts.
- Contract enforcement. We also need union representatives coming to worksites, researchers, attorneys and others to help members enforce their contract.
- Grievance and arbitration. All 32BJ contracts include a grievance and arbitration procedure that helps workers enforce the contract and protect members’ rights on the job.
- Training. for stewards and other member-leaders, elected union officers and staff makes sure everyone has the skills and information we need to keep building a strong union.
- Organizing. Bringing nonunion workers into the union improves jobs and maintains industry standards. Everyone needs a good job. 32BJ members have benefited from workers who organized their worksites in the past. We pass that forward – and we recognize that there is no such thing as good jobs for some. If some workers in our industry are vulnerable, we all are because eventually low-paying competition drives down standards for everyone. 32BJ members’ strength depends on our ability to keep growing by organizing new workers into our ranks.
- Political action. Elected officials pass laws that affect workers and our families. That’s why it is so important to get out the vote and to hold politicians accountable for the decisions they make.
- Legal expertise. Experienced labor attorneys help protect our rights on the job, at grievance hearings and during contract negotiations.
- Communications with members, leaders, officers, stewards and activists helps keep everyone informed.
- Public outreach helps 32BJ members to build outside support in tough bargaining or organizing situations.
- Membership in SEIU, our international union, and state and local labor federations. We’re all stronger when we work together on issues that affect all union members and when we support each other in organizing and bargaining campaigns.
How can I get answers about my benefits?
What is a grievance?
- Any of the rights spelled out in your contract
- Certain laws
- The employer’s own rules
- Past practice (This protects workers from employers suddenly changing the way they’ve been doing things for years.)