Brooklyn building workers protest pay cuts

Dozens of Brooklyn workers who are employed at the Flatbush Gardens housing complex in East Flatbush rallied yesterday to protest potential cuts to their pay and benefits and threatened to strike if they cannot come to a contract agreement with the building owners, the Wall Street Journal reported. The clash involves 70 workers, represented by Service Employees International Union’s Local 32BJ, who contend that the building management — Renaissance Equity Holdings — has offered an untenable contract by requesting a 30 percent reduction in wages and benefits. “Workers cannot be expected to accept cuts that turn the clock back more than 20 years below 1991 rates,” said Kyle Bragg, 32BJ vice president, in a statement. The workers last month authorized a strike at the complex if a deal couldn’t be reached. The two sides have been in talks since April. Renaissance Equity officials didn’t immediately respond to calls seeking comment. [WSJ]