Tough Talk Starts Between Apt. Workers & Owners

Tough Talk Starts Between Apt. Workers & OwnersJohn SalustriNEW YORK CITY-SEIU Local 32BJ, which represents 28,000 apartment workers, including doormen, janitors, and elevator operators, has called for a strike when contracts expire on April 20. At issue are salary increases, and safety and security training. Ownership representatives are confident that a strike can be averted.NEW YORK CITY-It’s estimated that some one million apartment dwellers will be affected if SEIU Local 32BJ carries out plans, unveiled Wednesday night, to call a strike. GlobeSt.com confirmed with Union officials yesterday that the union, which represents some 28,000 doormen, concierges, handymen, porters and other multifamily personnel, will walk after their contract expires at midnight on April 20.

Primary sticking points in the ongoing negotiations with the Realty Advisory Board are salary, the maintenance of various health-care programs and the need for more security training.

In a prepared statement, union president Mike Fishman noted that, “The residential real estate industry is holding up well despite New York City’s shaky economy. Property-value increases far surpass inflation.