But cool heads ultimately prevailed as negotiators came to terms that would keep doormen, janitors elevator operators and other multifamily employees at their posts.

A union official confessed to GlobeSt.com yesterday morning that there was a "little movement" in discussions about wages, but it wasn't enough to close the wide gap that yawned between the union and building owners. Other points of contention revolved around the maintenance of various health-care programs and the need for more security training.

But late in the day on Tuesday, the union rep stated that much more progress was being made on these other issues than on wages, and he told GlobeSt.com to expect the talks to "go late."Indeed they did, with a joint statement made at 2am this morning that a tentative deal had been forged. Key to the settlement are annual raise hikes over the next three years of 2.72%, 2.8% and 2.87% respectively. Beefed up retirement perks are also included for workers who have put in 25 years.

Despite the troubled times of the economy and the real estate market in town, the union clearly felt justified asking for wage increases. Union president Mike Fishman had previously noted that, "The residential real estate industry is holding up well despite New York City's shaky economy. Property-value increases far surpass inflation.

"But those who take care of the apartment buildings and residents are making wages that barely keep pace with inflation," he continued. "Thanks to inflation, and rising costs, we're bringing home less for our families." Fishman quoted studies revealing that a single parent with two children in Manhattan would require a minimum income of $48,396 annually. But he claimed that most apartment workers' wages "fall far short of that standard. A starting porter, for example, earns $27,482 a year."

The newly crafted salary hikes are designed to keep pace with inflation.

The safety and security training has been a growing concern since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and the union sees itself as shouldering more responsibility for maintaining building security. As talks were heating up, Fishman stated that "Our contract must reflect the increasingly visible, front-line role we play in keeping buildings and residents safe and secure."

Up until relatively recently in the negotiations, representatives of ownership, while taking the talks seriously, saw the union move as commonplace pre-contract sparring. Jim Berg, president of RAB, told GlobeSt.com at the time that, "Basically, the possibility of a strike occurs each time a contract comes up. It doesn't mean there's going to be one. It only means they have the authority to do that."