Thaindian News

By Ranjan Bhaduri
New York, Apr 21, (THAINDIAN NEWS) After much anticipation and anxiety, the New Yorkers heaved a sigh of relief as the dreaded Doormen strike was called off. It was possible because the building owners and New York City doormen union reached an agreement. The city was spared a midnight strike and it came as a breather for the residents. Kwame Patterson, the Union spokesman said that the 4 year agreement is inclusive of a wage hike of 10 percent. The agreement was made at 12:10 a.m.

Almost a million of the New York residents have to depend on doormen and allied building staff to lead life without problems. The doormen perform various tasks for the high rise residents in New York. Had the strike not been called off, nearly 30,000 doormen in New York would not have reported for work. That would have resulted in extreme inconvenience for the apartment dwellers. The elderly citizens became more worried when they came to know about the strike. A lot of them need to depend on these doormen since they live alone or separated from their relatives.

The 32BJ Union and the building owners association, the Realty Advisory Board have been involved in a battle involving issues like wage hike, overtime rules, health care etc. Last time the union called a strike was in 1991. On an average, the building workers earn $40,000 a year besides tips and occasional gifts from the residents. The building owners wanted less sick leaves and less wage for new workers. The doormen also make sure that the right people get in the apartments and safety would become an issue had they not decided to call off the strike.