The union representing porters, maintenance crews and other building service workers is set to go on strike if they don’t reach a contract agreement.  

Union representatives from 32BJ SEIU and the Bronx Realty Advisory Board have yet to come to an agreement on the terms of a four-year contract.  

Building service workers picketed outside of the Skyview Apartments on the Hudson River, saying that the board wanted to extend the deal with the union with no pay increase.  

“We are hoping to come to an agreement, but workers here are showing that they are ready to strike,” said Simon Davis Cohen, a representative of the union. 

Bronx workers are demanding a fair wage increase and say their salaries should reflect what their counterparts earn in Manhattan.  

“The rent is going up while our wages stay the same,” said Elizabeth Tejada, a worker in the 32BJ union. “All we want is the wage to go up and that’s it. It’s not because we want it, it’s because we deserve it.” 

32BJ SEIU’s members include porters, janitors, maintenance, security, front desk staff and other building service workers in nearly 900 Bronx buildings. Some who live in Skyview Apartments are backing the union workers who are ready to strike.  

“They did everything they could for us,” said a Skyview resident. “Whether it was helping with packages or delivering food or water leaks, they took care of us during the pandemic.” 

The president of the Bronx Realty Advisory Board responded with a statement that reads in part: 

“We want to work with the union in securing decent wages and benefits for their members. Bronx property owners have faced unprecedented economic issues following three years of COVID restrictions and skyrocketing costs from insurance to utilities, not to mention the financial disaster created by Albany legislators, who will need to fix it swiftly before it becomes worse for any other parts of our already fragile economy."