Michelle Kaske at Bloomberg reports New York City Doormen and building owners have reached a potential agreement on wage and benefit increases, avoiding a possible Strike as soon as April 21st that would have upended day-to-day operations at 3,500 co-ops, condos and apartment properties. The current contract is set to expire late Monday night (April 20th). 32BJ Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents 34,000 Doormen, Porters and Maintenance Workers across New York City, and the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations have been in ongoing negotiations. During contract discussions, Workers stressed the need for wage increases that would keep up with rising prices on groceries, gas and other household needs. The potential new four-year contract will give Employees wage increases every year, so that they’re making $4.50 more per hour in the last year of the agreement compared to now. A Doorman making $62,000 a year now will earn $9,000 more in the final year. Monthly pension checks for future Retirees will increase by 15%. Union Members will vote on the new contract over the next month and 32BJ SEIU will begin counting the ballots on May 28th.

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