Big Win for Bed-Stuy Apartment Workers Back to Work with Good Jobs; Workers Win Over $100,000 in Back Pay

Workers at 1711 Fulton are back at work after a six-month dispute with new owner who cut pay and fired them

NEW YORK – September 15, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Long-time workers who lost their jobs for standing up for good pay and a union at 1711 Fulton Street in Bed-Stuy are back on the job today after the building owner agreed to reinstate them, recognize 32BJ SEIU as their union and sign a union contract that restores the pay and benefits they had been earning under the previous owner.

The settlement, which was negotiated through the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), brought the original workers back to work, restored their union contract and mandated that the new owners, Vertices Holdings, pay over $100,000 dollars in back wages to the workers during the time their pay was cut from their contracted rate. The workers saw their pay cut six months ago and then lost their jobs in June.

“It feels great to be back at work at the good job I’ve worked hard at for over 30 years,” said superintendent Willie Hill. “For over six months, my coworkers and I stood together for good jobs and our solidarity has paid off. Now I know that I’ll be able to support myself, my wife and my four kids.”

Of the seven workers who campaigned to get their jobs back, four went back to work on Monday, one is currently on workmen’s compensation and will return to work after the end of his disability period and two have decided to leave their employment at the building and accepted severance payments.

The NLRB settlement also included tens of thousands of dollars in back pay owed to replacement workers, who should have been paid the union rate as well.

A full copy of the settlement is here: http://www.seiu32bj.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Vertices-NLRB-Settlement-Agreement_FINAL.pdf

“Justice has been served at 1711 Fulton Street and we’re glad to see that Vertices Holdings has committed to providing good jobs at this building,” said 32BJ Secretary-Treasurer Kyle Bragg. “This is a huge win for these workers and for everyone fighting for good jobs and affordable housing for local residents in Bed-Stuy and across our city.”

With more than 145,000 members including 70,000 in New York City, 32BJ is the largest property service workers union in the country.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Rachel Cohen, 917-370-8464; rcohen @seiu32bj.org