Why 20,000 NYC cleaners are preparing to strike

New York City commercial real estate could experience its first industry strike since 1996. The 20,000 cleaners, porters and handypersons who service 1,300 office buildings, universities and transportation hubs have been preparing for this moment for more than a year.

At the bargaining table, the commercial real estate industry is trying to use the pandemic as an excuse to attack quality working class jobs that have taken decades to build up, and which have helped tens of thousands of New Yorkers to support their families and reach for the American Dream.

As it stands today — three days until contract expiration at midnight on Dec. 31 — 32BJ SEIU and the Realty Advisory Board remain very far apart at the negotiating table because the RAB has refused to drop fundamental attacks on the essential workers’ labor contract, including a health care premium share obligation that would result in hard-strapped workers and their families losing coverage, the creation of a two-tier second class status for all future new hires, and unnecessary attacks on labor protections and other benefits.

These changes would make life untenable for 20,000 essential workers and their families who are struggling to keep up with rising living costs. As Erick Weaver, an elected member of our bargaining committee, who has worked as a commercial cleaner for 27 years, told me, “my co-workers already have to pick up second jobs on the side to help them pay rent. The RAB’s proposed changes could force me to take a second job. That would take away from the precious few hours I have everyday to spend with my 8-yearold son.”

Yes, the commercial real estate industry has been impacted by the pandemic. Work from home trends led to higher vacancy rates in some commercial buildings. And this might lead people to think that the solution has to come on the backs of essential workers like Erick. But that is not the case.

Office buildings, train stations and universities have all been impacted by the pandemic differently. But let’s just say, for arguments’ sake, that the industry’s narrative of high vacancies is true. Well, those buildings have adjusted — in accordance with the existing contract — and cut positions. Cleaners don’t clean vacant office space! And the cleaners who remain are as essential as ever.

The pro-industry narrative overlooks some important facts.

One: the industry has already cut its labor costs by eliminating 2,000 positions since the pandemic’s onset. Two: a third of the workers fighting for a new contract were laid off during the pandemic, some for up to two years, forcing them to turn to food banks, gig work and otherwise struggle to make ends meet as they waited to be called back to work. Three: some cleaners already have to work two jobs to survive. Four: many buildings and workplaces did not slow down during the pandemic. Five: buildings that did slow down still needed rigorous cleaning to keep everyone safe and to reopen responsibly.

The industry still needs these cleaners to make their buildings presentable and attractive for tenants, and in many buildings our members are doing more work than ever.

Our city’s cleaners were considered heroes during COVID, and have already sacrificed. Some with their lives. Some with the lives of their loved ones. Some with their long term health. Others by making difficult financial decisions. “What more do they want from us?” Dulce Martinez, an 18-year cleaner, said. “We will not relinquish our dignity. We will strike if it

Bill Bramhall is on vacation comes to that.”

This contract is about one thing: The ability of these essential workers to live with dignity and support their families. That’s why commercial building service workers are forgoing holiday tranquility to march in the streets and prepare for a strike. More than 500 strike captains are stationed in buildings across the city. They demand and deserve fair wage increases that keep up with inflation and rising living costs, pension improvements and the protection of their vital benefits.

32BJ is committed to being part of the solution. But the challenges the industry faces will not be solved on the backs of the cleaners. They will be solved through good public policy and the quality services these cleaners provide.

There is no reason the billionaires in the commercial real estate industry need to balance their budgets on the backs of the essential workers who put their lives on the line during the pandemic, brought the virus home, fell behind financially, and still reopened this city. Instead, let’s honor their leadership with a strong and fair contract — the ultimate investment in the city that never sleeps.

evidence is likely to convict him. If the court votes for presidential immunity, President Biden can immediately have Trump and his hench(wo)men arrested and imprisoned in the Arctic, maybe in cells right next to Alexei Navalny. After all, we can only have one absolutely immune president at a time. Ahh, karma!

Jeff and Joan Ganeles

Can’t be trusted

North Bergen, N.J.: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson must be removed as speaker because he is a more immediate threat to our democracy than even Donald “Putin” Trump. As speaker, he’s next in line for the presidency after the vice president. Imagine if tragedy befalls both President Biden and Kamala Harris, whether by accident or assassination. Johnson becomes president. Sounds far-fetched? Judges now receive threats from MAGA loyalists disapproving of their handling of issues before the court. Could some MAGA fanatic, too impatient to wait for the election to run its course, decide to speed things up by taking out both Biden and Harris? Were that to happen before the election, Johnson would become president. Once in office, I doubt he would willingly step aside for Trump since he would be in the position of authority he’s desired. He could then be the authoritarian Christian president he dreams of. Irving A. Gelb