Breaking: Hudson Valley Service Workers Union Reach Tentative Accord

The union said the new agreement would provide 16 percent wage and benefit increases over four years, maintaining health care as well as retirement benefits. If ratified by the membership, the contract would cover 1,400 superintendents, porters, janitors, elevator operators, doormen and women and handypersons in 500 buildings.

 "This tentative deal will allow hundreds of residential building workers to keep up with the cost of living in Westchester, which remains one of the wealthiest areas in the US," John Santos, vice president of Local 32BJ, said in a statement.

Added 32BJ president Hector Figueroa, "The industry understands that a stronger economy is possible only when good jobs are maintained. We will continue to fight to maintain good union jobs that give working families a path to the middle class."

The contract still must be ratified by the membership, with a vote scheduled for Oct. 8.

The BRI released no statement.

Negotiations had begun on July 30. On Sept. 23, building workers held a march in Scarsdale, N.Y., that was supported by elected officials scheduled to accompany them, including White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Assemblymembers David Buchwald, Shelly Mayer, Amy Paulin and Ken Zebrowski, State Senator David Carlucci, Westchester City Councilmember Catherine Borgia and Yonkers City Councilmember Christopher Johnson.

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