NEW YORK, NY – 32BJ SEIU building workers at CO-OP City voted overwhelmingly Friday, June 10, to ratify a new contract that provides a 12.47% wage increase over four years. The new contract with the Riverbay Corporation achieves excellent wins for nearly 500 building service workers at CO-OP City, the nation’s largest affordable housing cooperative.

The contract, for 500 porters, grounds persons, garage attendants, public safety dispatchers, CDL drivers, utility persons and handypersons includes:

• A 12.47% wage increase over 4 years
• Strong pension increases
• Maintenance of the high wage bargaining unit threshold
• No premium share and maintenance of 100% employer-paid healthcare
• Maintenance of paid sick leave and paid vacation
• Maintenance of employer contributions to legal and training funds

32BJ President Kyle Bragg said: “Congratulations to CO-OP City workers on this penomenal new contract! Not only have they won excellent wage and pension increases, but this contract, overwhelmingly ratified, also protects their great employer-paid healthcare, legal funds and training funds that help them pursue professional development. I want to thank both sides of this negotiation for reaching a deal that honors the workers who kept the nation’s largest affordable housing complex running during a pandemic.”

32BJ Executive Vice President and Director of NY Schools Division, Bronx Residential and Hudson Valley District Shirley Aldebol said: “We have a deal at CO-OP City! This contract is a recognition of the indispensable contributions 32BJ members have made throughout the pandemic at the service of the residents of the largest affordable housing complex in the nation. Congratulations to CO-OP City building service workers on a great new contract!”

CO-OP City worker and 32BJ bargaining committee member Kimberly Hutchinson said: “The sacrifices we made during the pandemic gives this new contract added significance. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this historic agreement a reality. 32BJ members make CO-OP City’s unique vision of cooperative h    ousing possible. This new contract honors this contribution, which is why a massive majority of my fellow members voted to ratify.” 

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With more than 175,000 members in 12 states, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers’ union in the country.