Just one year ago, Bronx Realty Advisory Board (BRAB) members – who negotiate with labor on behalf of the borough’s property owners – signed a four-year agreement with SEIU 32BJ, a union responsible for thousands of building workers all over New York City.
These men and women work hard to make life better for hundreds of thousands of residents across the Bronx to ensure apartment buildings run smoothly. We believe they should be compensated fairly and justly for their efforts. However, because of several failures in the system, the contract is in jeopardy.
Despite concern over the length of the contract, both parties agreed that it could be reopened after a year if economic conditions did not improve. Although this deadline was March 1, both parties agreed to postpone the reopening option by 30 days.
This timeline allows talks in Albany around the budget and potential legislation to address several regulatory challenges in Bronx housing. During these pivotal next few weeks, we continue to implore Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders – including the Bronx’s own Speaker Carl Heastie and the Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins – to come to agreements on solutions surrounding key issues. These potential solutions can go a long way towards allowing Bronx property owners to continue to afford the full original contract.
Among those key issues that would resolve problems in the system include addressing rental arrears as a result of Housing Court problems. However, the most pressing issue is regarding vacancies in rent-regulated apartments throughout the city, which can be solved with minor legislative changes.
In the Bronx, many residents are long-time renters – some for decades. When residents move out or pass away, their apartments often require significant renovations due to their age – much of which is required by law upon turnover. The longest-occupied units usually require the most amount of work, but they generally have…
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