Workers, tenants petition TF Cornerstone in LIC

The Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ petitioned TF Cornerstone yesterday in Long Island City, the New York Daily News reported, alleging the developer doesn’t provide proper benefits to workers in its LIC buildings and “bullies” workers who want to unionize.

TF Cornerstone workers and City Council member Jimmy Van Bramer delivered the petition to the leasing office at 47-20 Center Boulevard, signed by about 430 tenants in the 485-unit building, where the News noted rents for two-bedroom apartments are $5,400 per month.

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The workers, led by a 32BJ organizing coordinator, urged the developer to unionize its workforce, so that laborers can have access to union training classes that help them move up the ranks. Kevin Singleton, executive Vice President at TF Cornerstone, called the claims “hollow” and said the union is trying to embarrass the firm into recognizing them. He also argued that TF Cornerstone already offers training and retirement fund options to its employees.

This is not the first time the Local 32BJ has come at odds with the developer, as last year the firm was forced to display a notice stating workers’ rights to organize after a complaint was filed with the National Labor Relations Board at 505 West 37th Street in Midtown. [NYDN]