Union leaders called a new contract reached with apartment building owners in the lower Hudson Valley an “important victory” for their members and working families.
The four-year agreement ratified Thursday night by members of Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ includes wage increases totaling 6 percent over the term of the contract. Union officials said workers will continue to receive family health care coverage fully paid by the employer. Fringe benefits, including sick days, overtime pay and vacation, also are unchanged.
SEIU spokesman Kwame Patterson said owners agreed to increase their contributions by nearly 19 percent to cover rising health care premium costs. Employers”™ pension contributions will increase by nearly 30 percent, he said.
Owners of more than 500 apartment buildings in Westchester and Rockland counties were represented in negotiations by the Building & Realty Institute of Westchester & the Mid-Hudson Region Inc. The two sides reached an agreement on Sept. 30, shortly before a previous contract was due to expire.
Local 32BJ represents about 1,200 building superintendents, janitors, handymen, porters, doormen and elevator operators in the two suburban counties.
