Bronx building workers strike called off

Thousands of Bronx building workers opted not to walk off the job last night after their union reached a tentative contract with the group representing the landlords of some 1,000 apartment buildings in the borough to raise wages and maintain healthcare benefits for their families. The workers were threatening to strike at 12:01 a.m. today after the landlords had attempted to cut their benefits. A strike would have affected an estimated 250,000 Bronx residents in buildings like 10-20-30-40 Richmond Plaza, which has 1,654 units and employs 52 union workers; Stevenson Commons at 755 White Plains Road, which has 948 units and employees 20 union workers; and Tracey Towers at 40 West Mosholu Parkway South, which contains 871 units and employs 31 union workers. As part of the agreement reached between 32BJ and the Bronx Realty Advisory Board, workers will get a 6 percent wage increase and will keep their employer-paid family healthcare and pension benefits. The contract will become a done deal after a vote by members of 32BJ later this month. TRD