Media Advisories

Media Advisory: New York Labor Leaders Offer Strike Support for 32BJ

Posted on

-Unions stand together to fight for a fair contract-

When: Thursday, December 29, @ 11 a.m.
Where: Steps of City Hall
Who: State and City union leaders from all sectors

Only two days remain before the contract covering 22,000 building service workers in New York City expires. If the clock runs out at midnight on Dec. 31, 2011 without a fair and equitable deal in place for hardworking 32BJ members, New York’s labor community is prepared to back them in a strike.

“The resources of the 2 ½ million member New York State AFL-CIO are at the full disposal of 32 BJ for as long as it takes to reach a contract agreement. With 3,000 local union affiliates across the state, we will stand side by side with our 32 BJ brothers and sisters throughout these negotiations. This is not just about what happens in the next few days. These negotiations are about the future of our city, and what kind of city we want to leave to the next generation,” says Mario Cilento, President of NY State AFL-CIO.

The top rate of a commercial cleaner in NYC is $22.65 an hour, or $47,000 a year, but building owners still say workers are earning too much. The real estate industry wants to rollback salary and benefit packages, while it’s recorded billions in sales activity this year alone.

“Whether it’s for a private sector union like 32 BJ, or a public sector or building trades union, the New York City Central Labor Council is always going to stand up for fair wages and contracts,” says Vincent Alvarez, President of the NYC CLC. “The labor community is committed to working together to fight for fairness in the workplace and protecting the wages and benefits of the hardworking men and women of New York City.”

####

The NYC Central Labor Council is a non-profit representing 1.3 million unionized workers citywide.

New Jersey Office Cleaners Rally to Celebrate New Contract and in Solidarity with New York City Cleaners

Posted on

32BJ Service Employees International Union

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Maia Davis: 201-396-4444

Michael O. Allen: (o) 212-388-3805;

(c) 917-494-6197

www.standwithbuildingworkers.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 29, 2011

 

NEW JERSEY OFFICE CLEANERS RALLY TO CELEBRATE NEW CONTRACT AND IN SOLIDARITY WITH NEW YORK CITY CLEANERS

- Their Battle Won, New Jersey Cleaners Rally in Support of Compatriots Across the River -

Jersey City, NJ – New Jersey cleaners, joined by top New Jersey elected leaders, will rally today in Jersey City to celebrate their new contract and in support of cleaners in New York City’s commercial buildings who are on the verge of a strike.

After an epic day of bargaining on Tuesday, the 32BJ SEIU Bargaining Committee won for 7,000 New Jersey office building cleaners a new four-year contract that increases pay by more than 10 percent and maintains health care coverage.

In New York City, 22,000 building cleaners face the prospect of a citywide strike as bargaining stretches close to the midnight hour on December 31, when the current contract expires.

WHAT:           New Jersey Workers Support NYC Cleaners

WHO:             500 New Jersey Office Cleaners; Hudson County Executive Tom

DeGise; Hudson County Freeholder Chairman Bill O’Dea; District 31

Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell; District 31 Assemblyman Charles

Mainor; and Jersey City Councilmember-elect Rolando R. Lavarro Jr.

WHEN:           4:00PM  on Thursday, December, 29, 2011

WHERE:         101 Hudson Street (Corner of Montgomery & Hudson St), Jersey City

With 120,000 members in eight states, including 9,000 in New Jersey, 32BJ is the largest property service union in the country and one of the fastest-growing in the state.

# # #

As Strike Looms, Office Cleaners Take to the Streets

Posted on

32BJ of the Service Employees International Union

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Kwame Patterson, 312-371-2485

Matt Nerzig,              917-584-0787

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR 3:00 PM, Thursday, December 29th, 2011

AS STRIKE LOOMS, OFFICE CLEANERS TAKE TO THE STREETS

–1,000 Workers at 3 Major Landmarks Across Manhattan–

 

New York, NY–With office cleaners stepping up preparations for a possible strike, cleaners will gather near Bowling Green Park and march past their worksites in downtown Manhattan’s Financial District. Hundreds of other office building workers will also be on the streets at several Midtown locations including Grand Central Station and the Grace Building.

Failure to reach a new contract by the time the ball drops in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, could lead to a strike of more than 22,000 office cleaners at more than 1,500 buildings, including landmarks such as Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building, the Met Life building and the Empire State Building.

Negotiations between the Realty Advisory Board (RAB) an association representing most major building owners in the city and 32BJ SEIU began on November 15th.

WHAT: Workers Ramp Up for Citywide Strike

WHO: 1,000 NYC Office Cleaners

WHEN: Thursday, December, 29, 2011 at 3:00PM

WHERE:

*Wall Street (Across from Bowling Green Park) 500 workers

Grand Central Station (Outside 300 Madison Ave.) 300 workers

Grace Building (Across from Bryant Park) 250 workers

 

With more than 120,000 members, including 70,000 in New York, 32BJ is the largest private-sector union in the state. For more information, visit www.standwithbuildingworkers.org

 

###

Office Cleaners Prepare to Strike as Contract Expiration Nears

Posted on

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Julie Karant: 646-584-9001

Eugenio H. Villasante: 646-285-1087

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR:

10 AM – 12:30 PM, Thursday, December 29, 2011

OFFICE CLEANERS PREPARE TO STRIKE AS CONTRACT EXPIRATION NEARS

More than 100 Office Cleaners to Rally at King of Prussia on Saturday

King of Prussia, PA – More than 100 suburban office cleaners will take to the streets outside King of Prussia on Saturday, December 31st in preparation to strike, if necessary to reach a fair agreement. 32BJ SEIU and leaders representing the area’s major commercial office building owners, managers, and cleaning companies remain far apart on negotiations for a contract set to expire on January 16th at 12:01AM.

WHAT: Interviews before Saturday strike preparation rally

WHO: 32BJ Leaders and office cleaners

WHEN: 10 AM – 12:30 PM, Thursday, December 29, 2011

“Nobody wants a strike, but cleaners are ready and prepared to do what it takes to protect good jobs for our communities,” said Wayne MacManiman, 32BJ Mid-Atlantic Director. “These hard-working men and women deserve family-sustaining wages that are vital to strengthening our economy.”

Wages for part-time workers are only $10.80 per hour ($11,232.00 annually). The federal poverty line for a family of four in the United States is $22,350 annually. Negotiations for a new contract covering more than 1,200 commercial office cleaners in suburban Philadelphia began on November 30th between 32BJ and leaders representing companies including Shellville Facility Services, Allan Industries, Inc., and Professional Building Services, Inc.

More than 60,000 property service workers from Hartford, Conn., to Virginia are united in a campaign to secure new contracts that raise wage and benefit standards.

With more than 120,000 members in nine states, including 10,000 in the Philadelphia area, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.

# # #

New York Labor Leaders Offer Strike Support for 32BJ

Posted on

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Ginger Otis:

212-604-9552/

917-346-3391
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, December 29, 2011

NEW YORK LABOR LEADERS OFFER STRIKE SUPPORT FOR 32BJ

-Unions stand together to fight for a fair contract-

When: Thursday, December 29, @ 11 a.m.

Where: Steps of City Hall

Who:    State and City union leaders from all sectors

Only two days remain before the contract covering 22,000 building service workers in New York City expires. If the clock runs out at midnight on Dec. 31, 2011 without a fair and equitable deal in place for hardworking 32BJ members, New York’s labor community is prepared to back them in a strike.

“The resources of the 2 ½ million member New York State AFL-CIO are at the full disposal of 32 BJ for as long as it takes to reach a contract agreement.  With 3,000 local union affiliates across the state, we will stand side by side with our 32 BJ brothers and sisters throughout these negotiations. This is not just about what happens in the next few days.  These negotiations are about the future of our city, and what kind of city we want to leave to the next generation,” says Mario Cilento, President of NY State AFL-CIO.

The top salary of a commercial cleaner in NYC is $22.65 an hour, or $47,000 a year but building owners still say workers are earning too much. The real estate industry wants to rollback salary and benefit packages, while it’s recorded billions in sales activity this year alone.

“Whether it’s for a private sector union like 32BJ, or a public sector or building trades union, the New York City Central Labor Council is always going to stand up for fair wages and contracts,” says Vincent Alvarez, President of the CLC. “The labor community is committed to working together to fight for fairness in the workplace and protecting the wages and benefits of the hardworking men and women of New York City.”

###

Cleaners Take to the Streets; Will Honor Picket Lines if NYC Strikes

Posted on

32BJ of the SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Julie Karant: 646-584-9001
Eugenio H. Villasante: 646-285-1087

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR:
For 2:30 PM, Thursday, December 29, 2011

OFFICE CLEANERS WILL TAKE TO THE STREETS, HONOR PICKET LINES IF NYC CLEANERS STRIKE

Work Stoppages Could Impact Bank of New York Mellon and USX Tower

Pittsburgh, PA –Nearly 100 office cleaners, Occupy Pittsburgh activists and supporters will take to the streets on Thursday in solidarity with the 22,000 New York City cleaners who are on the verge of one of the largest private-sector strikes in recent history. Although Allegheny County commercial office cleaners ratified new four-year contracts covering 1,200 workers in October, Pittsburgh cleaners employed by New York-based contractors who are members of 32BJ SEIU could participate in work stoppages if cleaners in NYC don’t reach a fair agreement by 12:01 AM on January 1, 2012.

WHO:  Office cleaners, Occupy Pittsburgh & members of 32BJ SEIU

WHERE: One Mellon Center – BNY Mellon Center
500 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA

WHEN:  Thursday, December 29, 2011 – 2:30 PM

In the event of a NYC strike, hundreds of Pittsburgh cleaners are prepared to honor picket lines at landmark buildings including the Bank of New York Mellon, the USX Tower, the PNC Bank Buildings, Highmark and Liberty Center among others.

Cleaners in more than 12 cities across the country including Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and Los Angles have also pledged to honor picket lines should the strike spread outside of New York City.

More than 60,000 property service workers from Hartford, Conn., to Virginia are united in a campaign to secure new contracts that raise wage and benefit standards.

With more than 120,000 members, including 5,000 in Western Pennsylvania, 32BJ is the largest property services union in the country.

###

U.S. Reps. Larson and DeLauro Call for Fair Agreement in Building Cleaners’ Contract Talks

Posted on

32BJ of the SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION

 

MEDIA ADVISORY:  December 28th, 2011

 

For more information:

Maia Davis: 201-396-4444

mdavis@seiu32bj.org

 

Michael Allen: 212-388-3805

mallen@seiu32bj.org

 

Congressional Representatives Add to Calls for Fair Contract Between Building Cleaners and Employers

 

Below are statements issued today by the offices of Rep. John Larson (CT-01) and Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) regarding the contract talks between 32BJ SEIU, the union representing 2,000 building cleaners in the Hartford and New Haven areas, and their employers:

 

Larson Calls For Agreement on Building Cleaners Contract

HARTFORD – This morning Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) called for a new, fair agreement for the 2,000-plus building cleaners represented by local 32BJ of the Service Employees International union of the greater Hartford and New Haven areas.

With the last day of scheduled talks between the workers and the Hartford Area Cleaning Contractors Association scheduled for today, Congressman Larson urged both sides come to an agreement before the current contract expires on December 31.

“The thousands of members of local 32BJ provide an invaluable service to so many residents throughout the Capital Region,” Congressman Larson said. “These men and women deserve a new contract that will ensure that all of their members are paid a fair wage and have competitive healthcare benefits. I strongly urge both sides come to an agreement as a work stoppage, regardless of how long, would be extremely disruptive to our state’s economy, which is still undergoing a fragile recovery.”

###

DELAURO URGES COOPERATION IN LOCAL 32BJ CONTRACT DISPUTE

New Haven, CT - Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) issued the following statement today on the contract negotiations between the Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the Hartford Area Cleaning Contractors Association:

“I urge both the SEIU Local 32BJ and the Hartford Area Cleaning Contractors Association to work together to avoid an unnecessary and damaging strike. I believe that an agreement can be reached that addresses the concerns of both sides, ensuring that the SEIU 32BJ workers receive fair wages and healthcare coverage and cleaning operations can be continued. With nearly 2,000 workers involved, it is critical that negotiations are successful. I urge both sides to work together to reach an agreement that is satisfactory to all parties and prevents damage to our local economies.”

###

Sen. Blumenthal Meets With Bldg Cleaners; Preparations for Possible Strike Underway

Posted on

32BJ of the Service Employees International Union

 

For more information:

Maia Davis: 201-396-4444

mdavis@seiu32bj.org

chael Allen: 212-388-3805

mallen@seiu32bj.org

 

MEDIA ADVISORY:

For Today, Wednesday, December 28th, 2011 from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

U.S. SENATOR TO MEET WITH BUILDING CLEANERS ON LAST DAY OF CONTRACT TALKS

- Preparations for Possible Strike Underway as Two Sides in Talks Meet Today –

One day after Governor Malloy, Senator Blumenthal and Hartford Mayor Segarra issued statements calling for a fair agreement between 2,000 building cleaners and their employers, the two sides are engaged in their last scheduled day of contract talks today in Hartford. But with the two sides far apart, cleaners represented by 32BJ SEIU have begun preparations for a possible strike including making picket signs and mapping out buildings that might be struck.

Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal is dropping by the 32BJ office today to meet with building cleaners who are there for the contract talks.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY AT 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. today:Blumenthal will be at the 32BJ office talking with workers. Update on the status of negotiations today will be available. Visuals include workers making signs and engaging in other strike preparations.

 

WHEN: 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday

WHAT: Photo and interview possibilities with Blumenthal, workers and 32BJ union officials.

WHERE: 196 Trumbull Street, 4th Floor, 32BJ offices,  Hartford

WHO: Senator Blumenthal; building cleaners represented by 32BJ; Kurt Westby, Connecticut State Director for 32BJ

With more than 120,000 members in eight states and Washington, D.C., including 4,500 in Connecticut, 32BJ SEIU is the largest union of property service workers in the country.

 

‪For more information, visit www.standwithbuildingworkers.org

# # #

Reverend Al Sharpton to Rally for Good Jobs With NYC Building Workers

Posted on

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact for 32BJ

Kwame Patterson 312-371-2485

Matt Nerzig               917-584-0787

Contact for Rev. Sharpton

Rachel Noerdlinger 646-981-5903
32BJ of the SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR

December 28, 2011 at 3:00PM

REVEREND AL SHARPTON TO RALLY FOR GOOD JOBS WITH NYC BUILDING WORKERS 

–Talks Move into Sheraton Hotel as Deadline Nears—

New York, NY — Rev. Al Sharpton will rally with hundreds of New York City office cleaners Wednesday as 32BJ SEIU and the Realty Advisory Board (RAB) move into the Sheraton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan for round-the-clock negotiations.

Failure to reach a new contract by the time the ball drops in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, could lead to a strike of more than 22,000 commercial property service workers at more than 1,500 buildings, including landmarks such as Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building, the Met Life building and the Empire State Building.

 

WHAT:   Rally for Good Jobs & Economic Fairness

WHO:     Rev. Al Sharpton

Hundreds of NYC Office Cleaners

Mike Fishman, President of 32BJ

Union and Community supporters

WHEN:   Wednesday, December, 28, 2011 at 3:00PM

WHERE: In front of the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, 2nd Floor
811 7th Avenue on 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019

With more than 120,000 members, including 70,000 in New York, 32BJ is the largest private-sector union in the state. For more information, visit www.standwithbuildingworkers.org .

 

###

For 7,000 Bldg Cleaners, Last Contract Talks: If No Agreement, Strike Preparations Begin

Posted on

32BJ of the Service Employees International Union

For more information:

Maia Davis: 201-396-4444
mdavis@seiu32bj.org

Michael Allen: 212-388-3805; 917-494-6197
mallen@seiu32bj.org

MEDIA ADVISORY
For Tuesday, December 27, 2011

 

NEW JERSEY BUILDING CLEANERS ENTER LAST SCHEDULED CONTRACT TALKS TODAY
- 7,000 Office Building Cleaners Will Prepare to Strike if Agreement Not Reached Tuesday -

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: at 3 p.m. Tuesday for update on progress of talks on last scheduled day of bargaining

The union representing 7,000 office building cleaners around New Jersey is making a last attempt to reach a fair contract for the workers before union members begin preparations to strike. More than two months after the union began negotiations with a consortium of cleaning contractors, the two sides remain far apart on wages and health care coverage. With less than five days remaining before the current contract expires at midnight on December 31st, today is the last scheduled day for bargaining.

WHAT: New Jersey State Director of 32BJ will give brief update on status of contract negotiations during a break in the talks.
Interviews also available with building cleaners on the union bargaining committee.

WHEN: 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Hilton at Gateway Center
Newark, across from the entrance to Penn Station

WHO: 32BJ New Jersey State Director Kevin Brown with more than a dozen building cleaners on the union bargaining committee

 

With more than 120,000 members in eight states and Washington, D.C., including 9,000 in New Jersey, 32BJ SEIU is the largest union of property service workers in the country and one of the fastest-growing unions in the state.

# # #