BUILDING SERVICE WORKERS EXTEND TALKS 3 DAYS, CHANCE OF STRIKE REMAINS

–More than 2,600 Office Cleaners Could Walk Off Their Jobs if Agreement Not Reached by October 19th at 12:01 AM–

Philadelphia, PA – October 17, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — In a concerted effort to reach a fair agreement and avoid a strike that would inconvenience the city of Philadelphia the property service workers union, 32BJ and the Building Owners Labor Relations, Inc. (BOLR), are extending contract negotiations for 3 more days.

However, since the two sides remain far apart, the union will be holding strike prep meetings this Saturday on setting up picket lines at more than 100 buildings throughout Center City , including Liberty Place, the Comcast Center, and Commerce Square if an agreement is not reached by October 19th at 12:01AM.

“Nobody wants a strike, but we’re ready to do what it takes to get workers what they need,” said Wayne MacManiman, 32BJ Mid-Atlantic Director. “Working families need wages that keep pace with the city’s high cost of living.”

Negotiations for a new union contract covering more than 2,600 property service workers in Philadelphia began on September 9th between 32BJ and representatives of the real estate industry. 32BJ presented its contract proposals to leaders of Building Owners Labor Relations, Inc. (BOLR), an organization representing Philadelphia’s major commercial office building owners, managers, and cleaning companies such as ABM Industries, Inc., The Arthur Jackson Company, and Shellville Facility Services.

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 7,000 in Philadelphia, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.

Contact:
Eugenio H. Villasante: 212 539 2940
Julie Karant: 646-584-9001