CONTRACT TALKS OPEN FOR MORE THAN 2,600 PHILADELPHIA PROPERTY SERVICE WORKERS

–Union Proposals Focus on Fair Wage Increases as Office Market Strengthens –

Philadelphia, PA – September 13, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Negotiations for a new union contract covering more than 2,600 property service workers in Philadelphia began on Friday between 32BJ and representatives of the real estate industry. 32BJ presented its contract proposals to leaders of Building Owners Labor Relations, Inc. (BOLR), an organization representing Philadelphia’s major commercial office building owners, managers, and cleaning companies such as ABM Industries, Inc., The Arthur Jackson Company, and Shellville Facility Services.

“We offered realistic proposals to ensure hard-working men and women receive the wages critical to supporting their families and strengthening our economy,” said Wayne MacManiman, 32BJ Mid-Atlantic Director. “The city’s multi-billion dollar real estate industry can afford to give low-wage workers the raise they deserve, and ensure that tenants receive the professional service they want.”

Wages range from just over $12 per hour and up based on job duties. Workers receive paid holidays and after one year of service, paid vacation and personal days. The federal poverty line for a family of four in the United States is $22,350 annually.

The city’s downtown commercial office market is seeing stabilized rents and decreasing vacancies. Additionally, employment, rents, and construction are forecasted to increase.

“A good, fair contract will provide working families with what they need, our economy with a boost and local governments with more tax revenue,” said Mike Fishman, 32BJ President. “Our campaign for good jobs is part of a national effort to rebuild the middle class, restore the economy, and reclaim the American Dream for millions of families.”

More than 60,000 property service workers from Hartford, Conn., to Virginia are united in a campaign to secure new contracts that raise wage and benefit standards.

“I’ve got two kids in college, a mortgage to pay and groceries,” said Angel Castro, a cleaner and father of three working in Center City. “I’m struggling like many people here every day.”

With more than 120,000 members in nine states, including 7,000 in Philadelphia, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.