RAB Local 32BJ Contractors Stipulation of Agreement 12.31.2023 thru 12.31.2027

STIPULATION OF AGREEMENT

 

Agreement made on the 27th day of December, 2023 between Local 32BJ, Service

 

Employees International Union (“Union”), and the Realty Advisory Board on Labor

 

Relations, Ine. (“RAB”).

 

WHEREAS, the 2020 Contractors’ Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the parties by

 

its terms will expire on December 3 1 , 2023; and

 

WHEREAS, the RAB through its Commercial Negotiating Committee representing

 

certain contractors, has now negotiated an Agreement with the Union on behalf of itself and all

 

its commercial building members; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties wish to include these terms in a written renewal agreement;

 

NOW THEREFORE, the parties in consideration of the mutual covenants herein

 

contained, and subject to ratification by the Union’s membership and the RAB Board of

 

Directors, do hereby agree to extend the Agreement through December 3 1 , 2027 and amend the

 

Agreement in accordance with the following stipulation:

 

1. ARTICLE I (MUTUAL OBLIGATIONS), SECTION 2

 

a) Replace Section 2(n) (at page 4) to read:

 

“2022 South Florida Cleaning Contractor Agreement”

 

b) Add as a new section, Section 2(o) (at page 4):

 

“2023 Maintenance Contractors ofNew England Agreement”

 

c) Add as a new section, Section 2(p) (starting at page 4):

 

“Ifthe Employer obtains a contract to provide property services to a commercial

 

office building outside SEIU Local 32BJ’s jurisdiction, and the property services at

 

such building is presently governed by an area-wide agreement with SEIU Local 1,

 

USWW, SEIU Local 6, SEIU Texas, SEIU Local 26, SEIU Local 49, SEIU Local

 

105, or SEIU Local 87, then the Employer will assume the SEIU Local’s area-wide

 

agreement in effect at that building. This provision would not change the scope of

 

recognition of any such area-wide agreement(s).”

 

2. ARTICLE IV (CHECKOFF)

 

a) Modify the third paragraph of Article IV (at page 14) to read (new language

 

underlined, deleted language stricken):

 

“The Employer shall provide employee information in connection with the

 

transmission of dues, initiation fees, all legal assessments and other deductions

 

required to be transmitted to the Union (collectively, “Deductions”). Deductions from

 

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employees’ paychecks shall be transmitted to the Union electronically via ACHwire transfer utilizing the 32BJ self-service portal, unless the Union directs, in

 

writing, that Deductions be remitted by means other than electronic transmittals. The

 

Union shall specify reasonable information to be recorded and/or transmitted by the

 

Employer, as necessary and consistent with this Agreement.

 

b) Modify the sixth paragraph of Article IV (at page 16) to read (new language

 

underlined, deleted language stricken):

 

“Employers who are currently transmitting Deductions by ACH shall continue to do

 

so. The parties recognize that Employers who are not currently transmitting

 

Deductions by ACH, including those who may currently be transmitting deductions

 

through wire transfer, may need time and/or training to be able to do so. The Union

 

shall provide any necessary training opportunity to the Employer to facilitate

 

electronic transmissions. Those Employers who are not currently transmitting

 

Deductions by ACH shall commence transmission by ACH no later than nine (9)

 

months from the date an Employer first becomes signatory to this Agreement, or for

 

employers currently utilizing wire transfer nine (9) months from the effective date of

 

this Agreement, (collectively the “Transition Period”), provided that any reasonably

 

requested training has been provided by the Union. It is understood that the transition

 

to ACH payment may cause some delays in effecting transmission. During the

 

Transition Period, Employers who deduct appropriately, but whose transmissions are

 

delayed, shall not be subject to interest or penalties owing to such delays.”

 

3. ARTICLE VI (ARBITRATION), SECTION 10

 

a) Incorporate appropriate and agreed-upon changes to the Arbitrator Panel in Section

 

IO (at pages 23) by adding additional arbitrators to be agreed to by the parties before

 

publishing the contract, and removing arbitrators to be agreed to by the parties after

 

publishing the contract.

 

4. ARTICLE VIII (DURATION)

 

a) Revise dates to reflect a four (4) year agreement through and including December 3 1 ,

 

2027. Expiration date for engineers and superintendents shall be extended to February

 

29, 2028.

 

5. ARTICLE X (HEALTH, PENSION, TRAINING, LEGAL AND SUPPLEMENTAL

 

RETIREMENT & SAVINGS FUNDS)

 

a) SECTION A (HEALTH FUND)

 

1. Update dates to reflect the 2024-2027 term of agreement.

 

ii. Revise the amounts listed in paragraphs (2) through (5) (at page 3 1 ) to

 

reflect that the Employer shall make the following annual contributions

 

per employee into the Building Service 32BJ Health Fund:

 

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Effective January 1, 2024

 

Effective January 1, 2025

 

Effective January 1, 2026

 

Effective January 1, 2027

 

$23,892.00

 

$24,612.00

 

$25,104.00

 

$25,728.00

 

iii. Revise the second sentence of paragraph (9) (at page 34) as follows (new

 

language underlined, deleted language stricken):

 

“The bargaining parties have already accepted the previous

 

recommendations of the Health Fund Study Committee to save the Health

 

Fund at least $70100 million per year in costs commencing no later than

 

January 1, 2012, and recommended to the Health Fund Trustees, who

 

acted upon the recommendations, to take all legal action necessary . . .”

 

b) SECTION B (PENSION FUND)

 

i. Update dates to reflect the 2024-2027 term of agreement.

 

u. The bargaining parties shall recommend to the Trustees of the Building

 

Service 32BJ Pension Fund (“Pension Fund”) a ten percent (10%) pension

 

benefit enhancement for all participants in Programs A and B of the

 

Pension Fund effective July 1, 2024 in accordance with the Trust

 

Agreement rules and procedures of the Pension Fund and applicable law.

 

iii. Revise the amounts listed in paragraphs (2) through (5) (at pages 37-38) to

 

reflect that the Employer shall make the following weekly contributions

 

per employee into the Building Service 32BJ Pension Fund:

 

Effective January 1, 2024

 

Effective January 1, 2025

 

Effective January 1, 2026

 

Effective January 1, 2027

 

$134.75

 

$138.75

 

$142.75

 

$146.75

 

c) SECTION C (TRAINING, SCHOLARSHIP AND SAFETY FUND)

 

i. Revise the amount listed in paragraph (2) (at pages 40-41) to reflect that,

 

effective January 1, 2024, the Employer shall contribute the following

 

annual contributions per year per employee to the Thomas Shortman

 

Training, Scholarship and Safety Fund:

 

Effective January 1, 2024

 

Effective January 1, 2025

 

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$169.60

 

$169.60

 

Effective January 1 , 2026

 

Effective January 1, 2027

 

$193.60

 

$193.60

 

d) SECTION D (GROUP PREPAID LEGAL FUND)

 

1. Update dates to reflect the 2024-2027 term of agreement.

 

ii. Revise the amounts listed in paragraphs (2) through (5) (at pages 41-42) to

 

reflect that the Employer shall make the following contributions per year

 

per employee into the Building Service 32BJ Legal Services Fund:

 

Effective January 1 , 2024

 

Effective January 1, 2025

 

Effective January 1, 2026

 

Effective January 1 , 2027

 

$36.32

 

$199.60

 

$175.60

 

$175.60

 

e) SECTION E (SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS FUND

 

(SRSF))

 

1. Revise paragraph (2) (at page 42) to reflect that, effective January 1 , 2024,

 

the Employer shall contribute $13.00 per week per employee to the

 

Building Service 32BJ Supplemental Retirement and Savings Fund.

 

6. ARTICLE X (HEALTH, PENSION, TRAINING, LEGAL AND SUPPLEMENTAL

 

RETIREMENT & SAVINGS FUNDS), SECTION F (PROVISIONS APPLICABLE

 

TO ALL FUNDS)

 

a) Replace paragraph (3) (at page 44) with the following language:

 

“Except as otherwise provided in Article XVI, Section l 2(b), with respect to the

 

Pension and Supplemental Retirement Savings Funds, employees shall have a waiting

 

period of ninety (90) days before becoming eligible to participate in the Funds and no

 

contribution shall be made on behalf of employees during the ninety (90) day period.

 

However, notwithstanding the foregoing, newly hired employees shall be eligible to

 

participate in the Training Fund upon their date of hire.”

 

7. ARTICLE XI (CLASSIFICATION AND WAGES), SECTION B (WAGES)

 

a) The provisions of Article XI, Section B (at pages 46-49) shall be modified as follows

 

(new language underlined, deleted language stricken):

 

1 . Effective January 1, 20202024, each employee covered hereunder shall receive a

 

wage increase of $0.65$0.500 for each regular straight-time hour worked.

 

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2. Effective January 1, 20212025, each employee covered hereunder shall receive a

 

wage increase of $0.70$1.000 for each regular straight-time hour worked.

 

3. Effective January 1 , 20222026, each employee covered hereunder shall receive a

 

wage increase of $0.70$1 .075 for each regular straight-time hour worked.

 

4. Effective January 1, 20232027, each employee covered hereunder shall receive a

 

wage increase of $0.825$1.150 for each regular straight-time hour worked.

 

5. Additionally, the minimum hourly rate differential for handypersons, forepersons

 

and starters (which shall include all employees doing similar or comparable work

 

by whatever title known) shall be increased by $0.05 effective on each of the

 

dates set forth in sub-paragraphs (1) through (4).

 

Minimum wage rates shall be those set forth in the tables on pages 164-171

 

hereof, increased accordingly to reflect the above increases in each category of

 

work.

 

Effective January 1, 20212025, in the event that the percentage increase in the

 

cost of living [Consumer Price Index for the City ofNew York-Metropolitan Area

 

(New York-New Jersey) Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers] from

 

November 20192023 to November 20202024 exceeds 6.5%, then, in that event,

 

an increase of $.10 per hour for each full 1% increase in the cost of living in

 

excess of 6.5% shall be granted effective for the first full work week commencing

 

after January 1 , 20212025. In no event shall said increase pursuant to this

 

provision exceed $.20 per hour. In computing increases in the cost of living above

 

6.5%, less than .5% shall be ignored and increases of .5% or more shall be

 

considered a full point. Any increases hereunder shall be added to the minimum.

 

Effective January 1 , 20222026, in the event that the percentage increase of the

 

cost of living [Consumer Price Index for the City ofNew York-Metropolitan Area

 

(New York-New Jersey) Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers] from

 

November 20202024 to November 20212025 exceeds 6%, then, in that event, an

 

increase of $.10 per hour for each full 1% increase in the cost of living in excess

 

of 6% shall be granted effective for the first full work week commencing after

 

January 1, 20222026. In no event shall said increase pursuant to this provision

 

exceed $.20 per hour. In computing increases in the cost of living above 6%, less

 

than .5% shall be ignored and increases of .5% or more shall be considered a full

 

point. Any increases hereunder shall be added to the minimum.

 

Effective January 1, 20232027, in the event that the percentage increase in the

 

cost of living [Consumer Price Index for the City of New York-Metropolitan Area

 

(New York-New Jersey) Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers] from

 

November 20212025 to November 20222026 exceeds 6%, then, in that event, an

 

increase of $.10 per hour for each full 1 % increase in the cost of living in excess

 

of 6% shall be granted effective for the first full work week commencing after

 

January 1, 20232027, In no event shall said increase pursuant to this provision

 

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exceed $.20 per hour. In computing increases in the cost of living above 6%, less

 

than .5% shall be ignored and increases of .5% or more shall be considered a full

 

point. Any increases hereunder shall be added to the minimum.

 

8. ARTICLE XII (HOURS AND OVERTIME), SECTION 2

 

a) Insert the following language after the first paragraph of Article XII, Section 1 (at

 

page 49):

 

“Notwithstanding the above, if the Employer seeks to implement an alternate full

 

time work schedule with daily shifts in excess of eight (8) hours, the Employer shall

 

notify the Union and the RAB, and the parties shall discuss the implementation of

 

such a schedule including the impact and process for obtaining the consent of the

 

impacted employees. Any employee seeking to work a modified schedule shall

 

execute a form to be agreed upon by the parties that states that the request to work the

 

modified schedule is knowingly and voluntarily made, and the Employer shall retain

 

a copy of such form. Upon receipt of an executed form, the Union will waive the

 

enforcement of any obligation under the Agreement for the Employer to pay an

 

overtime or premium pay for working more than eight (8) hours in a day.”

 

b) The provisions of Article XII, Section 2 (at pages 49-50) shall be modified as follows

 

(new language underlined, deleted language stricken):

 

Employees who have a regular work schedule that includes Saturday pr and Sunday

 

as of December 3 1 , 2023, and are currently receiving premium pay oftime and onehalf the regular straight time hourly rate of pay for work performed on Saturday or

 

Sunday shall continue to receive that premium pay for work performed on Saturday

 

or Sunday as part of their regular work schedule. New employees and those not

 

presently assigned weekend work and receiving weekend premium pay shall not be

 

entitled to premium pay for work performed on Saturday or Sunday unless the

 

employee is entitled to premium pay pursuant to another provision ofthis Agreement.

 

Part-time employees will also receive time and one-half the regular straight time

 

hourly rate of pay for all work performed on Saturdays and Sundays. If after January

 

1, 2024, the Employer creates or fills five (5) days per week positions that include

 

regularly scheduled weekend work as part of a 40-hour per week schedule, employees

 

in those positions will not be entitled to premium pay for work performed on

 

Saturday or Sunday unless the employee is entitled to a premium under a different

 

provision of this Agreement.premium days for all employees (excluding guards hired

 

on or after January 1, 1978) and work performed on such days shall be paid for at the

 

rate– oftime and one halfthe regular straight time hourly rate ofpay:

 

In determining whether an employee’s work shift is to be considered as falling on

 

Saturday or Sunday, for this sectionthe purpose ofpremium pay, it is understood that

 

the meaning of Saturday or Sunday work shall be the same as now applies or, where

 

there is no such practice, shall be based upon the holiday premium pay practice.

 

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The parties-agree that where an Employers normal business includes weekend

 

operations, the rationale for weekend premium pay may not be present. Upon the

 

RAB’s request, the Union shall consider whether operations at particular locations

 

warrant relief from the weekend premium pay obligation, and ifthe Lnion agrees that

 

the circumstances warrant relief, the Union and the RAB may agree that weekend

 

premium pay will not be required.

 

In newly construeted buildings, employees whose regular shifts include work on

 

Saturday or Sunday shall not receive weekend premium pay for work onthose days.

 

This shall not affeet eligibility for other premium pay for which the employees might

 

otherwise qualify, including but not limited to overtime pay.

 

9. ARTICLE XVI (GENERAL CLAUSES), SECTION 3 (HOLIDAYS)

 

a) The holiday schedule shall be revised by changing the dates of the current holidays to

 

the appropriate dates for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027.

 

b) Revise the Elective Holiday list (at page 72) to include Juneteenth.

 

10. ARTICLE XVI (GENERAL CLAUSES), SECTION 12 (REPLACEMENTS,

 

PROMOTIONS, VACANCIES, TRIAL PERIOD AND NEWLY HIRED

 

EMPLOYEES)

 

a) Modify the first paragraph of Section 12(a) (at page 84) to read (new language

 

underlined, deleted language stricken):

 

“In filling vacancies or newly created positions in the bargaining unit, preference

 

shall be given to those employees already employed in the building, based upon the

 

employee’s seniority, but training, ability efficiency, past performance, and

 

professionalism within the commercial setting and appearance, where required, shall

 

also be considered. For the purpose of this provision, employees already employed in

 

the building shall be deemed to include guards.”

 

b) Modify the last paragraph of Section 12(a) (at page 86) to read (new language

 

underlined, deleted language stricken):

 

“There shall be a trial period for all newly hired employees for sixty (60) ninety (90)

 

calendar days.”

 

11. ARTICLE XVI (GENERAL CLAUSES), SECTION 13 (RECALL)

 

a) Modify the first sentence of the second paragraph of Section 13 (at page 90) to read

 

(new language underlined, deleted language stricken):

 

“The Employer shall notify by certified pr registered mail, return receipt requested,

 

and may also provide supplemental notice by e-mail and/or text message, the last

 

qualified laid off employee at their last known address, of any job vacancy, and a

 

copy of this notice shall be sent to the Union.”

 

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12. ARTICLE XVI (GENERAL CLAUSES), SECTION 17 (VACATIONS)

 

a) Replace the last paragraph of Section 17(b) (at page 103) with the following

 

language:

 

“During the five (5) month vacation relief period, no contribution to any Benefit

 

Funds shall be made for a vacation relief person and vacation relief persons are not

 

eligible for 32BJ Benefit Fund coverage during the five (5) month vacation relief

 

period, except that they are eligible to participate in the Training Fund during the five

 

(5) month vacation relief period, consistent with Article X, F(3)” as revised herein.

 

13. ARTICLE XVI (GENERAL CLAUSES), SECTION 30 (NO DISCRIMINATION)

 

a) Modify paragraph (A) (at page 1 1 1 ) to read (new language underlined, deleted

 

language stricken):

 

“(A) There shall be no discrimination against any present or future employee by

 

reason of race, creed, color, age, disability, national origin, sex, sexual orientation,

 

gender identity, pregnancy-related conditions, union membership, marital status, or

 

any characteristic protected by law, including, but not limited to, claims made

 

pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42

 

U.S.C. § 1981, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family Medical

 

Leave Act, the New York State Human Rights Law, the New York City Human

 

Rights Code, New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, New Jersey Conscientious

 

Employee Protection Act, Connecticut Fair Employer Practices Act, 42 U.S.C. $

 

1981,Family and Medical Leave Act, or any other similar laws, rules or regulations.

 

All such claims shall be subject to the grievance and arbitration procedure (Articles V

 

and VI) as the sole and exclusive remedy for violations. Provided, however, that

 

nothing herein shall preclude the filing or adjudication of any statutory claim at any

 

time (i) before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or other

 

similar agency whose jurisdiction includes employment discrimination claims; or (ii)

 

before the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”). Nor shall an employee be

 

required to submit a claim involving sexual harassment and/or sexual assault to

 

arbitration. Arbitrators shall apply appropriate law in rendering decisions based upon

 

claims of discrimination.”

 

b) Modify paragraph (B)(l) (at page 112) to read (new language underlined, deleted

 

language stricken):

 

“(B) No-Discrimination Protocol

 

(1) ProtocolI (Footnote from 2020 contract will be included in integrated Agreement text)

 

The parties to this Agreement, the Union and RAB, believe that it is in the best

 

interests of all involved – employees, members of the Union, employers, the Union,

 

the RAB and the public interest-to promptly, fairly, and efficiently resolve claims of

 

workplace discrimination, harassment and retaliation as covered in the No

 

Discrimination Clause of the relevant collective bargaining agreement (collectively,

 

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“Covered Claims”). Such Covered Claims are very often intertwined with other

 

contractual disputes under this Agreement. The RAB, on behalf of its members,

 

maintains that it is committed to refrain from unlawful discrimination, harassment

 

and retaliation. The Union maintains it will pursue its policy of evaluating such

 

Covered Claims and bringing those Covered Claims to arbitration where appropriate.

 

To this end, the parties establish the following system of mediation and arbitration

 

applicable to all such Covered Claims, provided that nothing herein shall preclude the

 

filing or adjudication of any statutory claim at any time (i) before the EEOC or other

 

similar agency whose jurisdiction includes employment discrimination claims; or (ii)

 

before the NLRB. Nor shall an employee be required to submit a claim involving

 

sexual harassment and/or sexual assault to arbitration-whenever they arise. The Union

 

and RAB want those covered by this Agreement and any individual attorneys

 

representing them to be aware of this Protocol.”

 

c) Add the following as a new paragraph (B)(2)(a) (at page 1 1 3 ) (current paragraphs

 

(B)(2)(a) through (B)(2)(i) to be renumbered as paragraph (B)(2)(b) through

 

(B)02)G)):

 

“(a) The Mediation Protocol set forth below is mandatory for all Covered Claims.”

 

d) Update reference in current paragraph (B)(2)(b) (at page 114) to “2022 Apartment

 

Building CBA, Article VI, Paragraph 8.”

 

e) Add the following as a new paragraph (B)(2)(k) (at page 116):

 

“(k) With respect to mediation of sexual harassment and/or sexual assault claims, an

 

employee may terminate mediation upon written notice to the other Parties no earlier

 

than seventy-five (75) days after providing the Notice of Claim. In the event that

 

mediation has not been conducted for seventy-five (75) days at the time the employee

 

files a claim in court, the employer may request that the court stay the action pending

 

completion of the seventy-five (75) days of mediation but may not seek dismissal.”

 

f) Add the following as a new paragraph (B)(5) (at page 119):

 

“Nothing contained within this Protocol shall require mediation or arbitration where

 

prohibited by law. With respect to any Covered Claim that employees may not

 

lawfully be required to submit to mediation or arbitration, employees may voluntarily

 

submit such claims to the foregoing mediation and/or arbitration procedures.”

 

g) Name new and/or additional mediators, before the publication of this Agreement, to

 

the Mediation Panel for Covered Claims brought to mediation based on the No

 

Discrimination Protocol referenced in Section 30(B).

 

14. ARTICLE XVI (GENERAL CLAUSES), SECTION 45 (SICKNESS BENEFITS)

 

a) Modify the first paragraph of Section 45(a) (at page 130) to read (new language

 

underlined, deleted language stricken):

 

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“Any regular employee with at least one (1) year of service (as defined in Section 4

 

below) in the building or with the same Employer, shall receive in a calendar year

 

from the Employer ten (10) paid sick days for bona fide illness. Regular employees

 

with less than one (1) year of service shall be advanced up to three (3) paid sick or

 

other paid days off from the allotments that they receive upon their first anniversary

 

to obtain a maximum of seven (7) paid days in their first year of employment for the

 

purposes specified in the New York Paid Sick Leave Law, Labor Law Section 196-b,

 

and the New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time Act, N.Y.C. Admin. Code Section

 

20-911 et seq.”

 

b) Modify the second paragraph of Section 45(a) (at page 130) to read (new language

 

underlined, deleted language stricken):

 

“Any employee entitled to sickness benefits shall be allowed five (5)seven (7) single

 

days of paid sick leave per year taken in single days. The remaining five (5)three(3)

 

days of paid sick leave may be paid either for illnesses of more than one ( 1 ) day’s

 

duration or may be counted as unused sick leave days.”

 

c) Modify Section 45(e) (at page 132) to read (new language underlined, deleted

 

language stricken):

 

“The parties agree that on an annual basis the paid leave benefits provided to regular

 

employees under this Agreement, including but not limited to paid sick leave,

 

vacation days, personal days, elective holidays, and service center days are

 

comparable to or better than those provided under the New York City Earned Safe

 

and Sick Time Act, N.Y.C. Admin. Code§ 20-911 et seq., and the New York Paid

 

Sick Leave Law, N.Y. Labor Law§ 196-b. Therefore, the provisions of thosethat

 

Acts are hereby waived.”

 

15. ARTICLEXVI (GENERAL CLAUSES), SECTION 49 (SAFE AND HEALTHY

 

WORKING CONDITIONS)

 

a) Rename the Section, “Health, Safety and HERO Act.”

 

b) Add the following new Subsection (B) (at page 136, renumbering the current

 

paragraph Subsection (A)) (from the HERO Act Memorandum of Agreement

 

executed July 1 2 , 2021 (new language underlined, deleted language stricken)):

 

“Whereas, SEU Loeal 32BJ (“Union) and the Realty Advisory Board on Labor

 

Relations, lne. (“RAB), on behalfof its members (“Employers) are parties to the

 

20220 RAB Commereial Building Agreement, the 22020 RAB Contractors Agreement,

 

the 22018 Apartment Building Agreement, the 2201& Resident Managers and

 

Superintendents Agreement, the 2201& Long Island Apartment Building Agreement,

 

the 22021 Seeurity Officers Agreement, and the 2021 RAB Window Cleaners

 

Agreement (collectively, the ‘Agreements?);

 

Whereas, the COVID 19 pandemic has impacted building operations and building

 

service workers throughout the City ofNew York and its surrounding counties;

 

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Whereas, the parties desire to maintain the stable labor relations that have served

 

them well during the €OVID 19 pandemic, and ensure an effective and consistent

 

response across the Industry toe this and future public health crises arising form

 

airborne infeetious diseases;

 

Whereas, eOn May 5, 2021, the New York Health and Essential Rights Act, Senate

 

Bill 1034B (”S 1034B”), amending the New York Labor Law to include provisions on

 

prevention of airborne infeetionsinfectious disease, was signed into law. On July 12,

 

2021, the parties executed a Memorandum of Agreement (“HERO Act MOA) on

 

this topic. The parties agreed, and continue to agree, that the HERO Act MOA would

 

apply to the 2020 RAB Commercial Building Agreement, the 2020 RAB Contractors

 

Agreement, the 2018 Apartment Building Agreement, the 2018 Resident Managers

 

and Superintendents Agreement, the 2018 Long Island Apartment Building

 

Agreement, the 2021 Security Officers Agreement, and the 2021 RAB Window

 

Cleaners Agreement (collectively, the “Agreements). by Governor Cuomo;

 

Whereas the parties have sought to provide reasonable and effective protection from

 

airborne infectious diseases to employes in the Industry from the outset ofthe

 

€OVID 19 pandemie and wish to continue such valuable and effective cooperation;

 

New, therefor, the RAB, on behalfofits members, and the Union Consistent with the

 

HERO Act MOA, the parties agree to implement the following to ensure a safe and

 

healthy workplace for Industry employees as follows:

 

1 . In the event the HERO Act is once again triggered, the parties agree

 

Employers agree-to adopt an airborne infectious disease exposure

 

prevention plan by August 2, 202 1no later than sixty (60) calendar days

 

from the triggering of the HERO Act, by either adopting the model

 

standard promulgated by the Commissioner of the Department of Labor in

 

consultation with the Department of Health, or by establishing an

 

alternative plan that is comparable to or better than the minimum

 

standards provided by the model standard. The RAB and the Union agree

 

that an Employer’s adoption of the model standard relevant to them shall

 

satisfy that Employer’s obligation to adopt an airborne infectious disease

 

exposure prevention plan. Any Employer seeking to adopt an alternative

 

plan that is comparable to or better than the model plan shall submit such

 

plan to the RAB and the Union at least fourteen (14) days prior to the

 

proposed effective date of such alternative plan, and if neither the RAB

 

nor the Union object to such plan, in writing, within the fourteen (14) day

 

period, such alternative plan will satisfy the Employer’s obligation to

 

adopt an airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plan.

 

2. The RAB, Employers, and the Union agree to establish joint labormanagement workplace safety committees. The workplace safety

 

committees will be organized by Employer, except where the parties

 

mutually agree that another format is acceptable. The workplace safety

 

committees shall be comprised of Employer representatives, selected in

 

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3.

 

consultation with the RAB, Union representatives, and bargaining unit

 

employee representatives as the Union may designate. The workplace

 

safety committees shall meet as needed, upon the request of either the

 

Employer or the Union, at such times and in such manner as the

 

Employer, RAB and the Union may deem reasonable and proper. Each

 

workplace safety committee so-established, will have the ability,

 

consistent with S1034B, to: (a) raise health and safety concerns, hazards,

 

complaints and violations to the Employer; (b) review any policy or

 

procedures put in place in the workplace concerning workplace safety; (c)

 

participate in any site visit by any governmental agency responsible for

 

enforcing safety and health standards in a manner consistent with

 

applicable law; (ed) review relevant reports filed by the Employer related

 

to the health and safety of the workplace in a manner consistent with

 

applicable law; and (e) discuss training and equipment needs, including

 

personal protective equipment. Meetings shall occur during work hours

 

and shall be scheduled within two al weeks of either party requesting the

 

meeting, provided that in the event that there is an urgent health and safety

 

issue or other urgent operational issue in connection with the exposure

 

prevention plan, the parties shall make their best efforts to meet on an

 

expedited basis. Upon agreement by the parties, commonly-owned,

 

commonly-managed buildings that are subject to one of the abovereferenced Building Agreements, may form a workplace safety committee

 

that covers all or some of the commonly-owned, commonly-managed

 

buildings. Established workplace safety committees may make reports and

 

recommendations to the Employer, as necessary, concerning the above

 

and other matters covered by S1034B within their responsibility to the

 

Employer as may be appropriate.

 

The RAB, on behalf of its members, and the Union agree that the benefits

 

provided under the Agreements and under this Memorandum of

 

Agreement~Section and the HERO_Act MOA are comparable to or better

 

than those provided under S1034B, enacted under N.Y. Labor Law

 

Sections 27-d and 218-b. and therefore, pursuant to N.Y. Labor Law§ 27-

 

d (7) and N.Y. Labor Law Section 218-b (9), the provisions of S10348 are

 

waived with regard to these parties, and to the extent not precluded by

 

those laws with regard to other parties. The parties further agree that any

 

dispute arising out of or relating to airborne infectious disease exposure

 

prevention, including, without limitation, the implementation ofMemorandum of Agreement the HERO_Act MOA, shall be resolved

 

through the applicable grievance and arbitration processes ofeach of the

 

applicable Agreements set forth in this Agreement, as the sole and

 

exclusive process for resolution of such disputes. Any grievance alleging a

 

violation of the Employer’s exposure prevention plan that creates a

 

substantial probability that serious physical harm or death could result

 

from a condition which exists, or from one or more practices, means,

 

methods, operations or processes which have been adopted or are in use,

 

12

 

by the Employer at the work site, shall be submitted to expedited

 

arbitration within three (3) business days of an arbitration demand.

 

4. During the period of time prior to any requirement by the Department of

 

Labor or Department of Health that the Employer implement its exposure

 

prevention plan Employers shall follow the joint guidelines developed by

 

the RAB, Local 32BJ and REBNY, as they may be revised, with respect to

 

personal protective equipment, social distancing and other practices to

 

reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposures and/or transmissions.”

 

16. Eliminate Obsolete Provisions.

 

a) Delete the third paragraph of Article XIII, Section 2(f) (at page 64):

 

“This provision shall not apply to employees who commenced a medical leave of

 

absence prior toe March 1 , 2002.”

 

b) Remove Side Letter Re: Employer Contributions to Pension and SRSP Funds (at page

 

153).

 

17. Continue all applicable side letters and execute new side letters, as attached.

 

18. Update all dates as necessary throughout the Agreement to correspond to the 2024

 

through 2027 term of the Agreement.

 

19. Continue to replace gendered pronouns throughout the Agreement with nongendered nouns (e.g., replace “he,” she,” “him,” or “her” with “employee,”

 

“supervisor, etc., as appropriate) at the integration of the contract.

 

20. Update and confirm page, article, and section numbering/lettering.

 

The parties agree to include in the final contract any language clarification which

 

may be necessary as a result of this Stipulation of Agreement. This Agreement is subject to

 

ratification by the Union and by the RAB Board of Directors.

 

AGREED to on this 27th day of December, 2023.

 

LOCAL 32BJ, SERVICE EMPLOYEES

 

INTERNATIONAL UNION

 

13

 

REALTY ADVISORY BOARD ON

 

LABOR RE .

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 1 8 Street

 

New York, NY 10011

 

Re: Reserved Question on Mandatory Arbitration for Statutory Discrimination Claims

 

Dear Manny:

 

This letter will confirm our understanding on the issue of whether arbitration is mandatory for

 

statutory discrimination claims brought under the No Discrimination Clause found in the

 

Collective Bargaining Agreements (“CBAs”) between the RAB and the Union (the “Reserved

 

Question”).

 

Following the decision of the Supreme Court in 14 Penn Plaza LLC • Pyett, 556 U.S. 247

 

(2009), the RAB and the Union have had a dispute about the Reserved Question, specifically

 

regarding the meaning of the No Discrimination Clause and the grievance and arbitration clauses

 

in the CBAs. The Reserved Question is as follows:

 

The Union contends that the CBAs do not make provision for arbitration of any

 

claims that the Union does not choose to take to arbitration, including statutory

 

discrimination claims, and therefore, individual employees are not barred from

 

pursuing their discrimination claims in court where the Union has declined to

 

pursue them in arbitration. The RAB contends that the CBAs require arbitration of

 

all individual claims, even where the Union has declined to bring such claims to

 

arbitration.

 

The parties agree that, should either the Union or the RAB deem it appropriate or necessary to do

 

so, that party may bring to arbitration the Reserved Question. The parties intend that the

 

Reserved Question may only be resolved in arbitration between them and not in any form of

 

judicial or administrative proceeding. The outcome of the Reserved Question hinges on

 

collective bargaining language and bargaining history, which are subjects properly suited for

 

arbitration. Such arbitration may be commenced on 30 calendar days’ written notice to the other

 

party. The arbitrator for such arbitration shall be Roberta Golick, unless she is unable or

 

unwilling to serve, in which case the parties shall agree upon an arbitrator, and failing agreement

 

shall submit the case to arbitration before the American Arbitration Association, in New York

 

City.

 

In 2010, the parties initiated the No-Discrimination Protocol. The No-Discrimination Protocol is

 

applicable to all such claims. This Protocol was intended, and continues, to serve as an

 

alternative to arbitrating the parties’ disagreement on the Reserved Question. The parties agreed

 

to include the No-Discrimination Protocol as part ofthe CBAs, as further modified in December

 

2015. The Union and the RAB agree that the provisions of the No-Discrimination Protocol do

 

not resolve the Reserved Question. Neither the inclusion of the No-Discrimination Protocol in

 

the CBAs nor the terms of the No-Discrimination Protocol shall be understood to advance either

 

14

 

party’s contention as to the meaning of the CBAs with regard to the Reserved Question, nor will

 

either party make any representation to the contrary.

 

Without prejudice to either parties’ position on the continued viability of any other side letter,

 

this side letter shall continue in effect unless and until the parties agree otherwise or until the

 

Reserved Question is decided by Arbitrator Golick.

 

~%

 

President, RAB

 

AGREED:

 

.l

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

1 5

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 18″ Street

 

New York, NY 10011

 

Re: Retail and Non-Commercial Locations

 

Dear Manny:

 

The parties agree to establish a committee consisting of the RAB and Union representatives to

 

discuss wage rates, benefit packages and other terms and conditions of employment for all retail

 

and related locations (as enumerated in Article I, Section 2 of the Contractors Agreement).

 

�v<::::.::a,�,-�-

 

.Zit..

 

President, RAB

 

AGREED:

 

President, SEilJ, Local 32BJ

 

16

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 18″ Street

 

New York, NY 1 0 0 1 1

 

Re: No-Strike Provision

 

Dear Manny:

 

This letter confirms that the Union will use its best efforts to notify the Labor Peace Committee

 

in advance of any disputes/issues relating to a signatory employer prior to engaging in activities

 

described in Article VII, paragraph 8 of the Contractors Agreement. Any disputes regarding the

 

sufficiency ofthe notice shall be addressed solely at, and by, the Labor Peace Committee, and

 

not by recourse to Article VI, or in any other forum.

 

d,AJ.,�7W.,.—==……….__·

 

Howard

 

President, RAB

 

A G RE E D : � £:at

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

17

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 18 Street

 

New York, NY 10011

 

Re: Consultancy Committee

 

Dear Manny:

 

The parties recognize that the use of consultants is a practice that has arisen in the industry. Upon

 

the Union’s request, the parties agree to create ajoint committee consisting of the Union

 

President and the RAB President, or their designees, to discuss issues affecting employees

 

covered under this Agreement that arise out of any consultancy with respect to work covered

 

under this Agreement or the Commercial Building Agreement.

 

Howard�

 

President, RAB

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

1 8

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 18 Street

 

New York, NY 10011

 

Re: Transition of Guards to the Security Officer Agreement

 

Dear Manny:

 

This letter confirms our agreement regarding the transitioning of guards covered who are

 

employed by an Employer that is a member of the RAB and bound to the RAB Commercial

 

Building Agreement and/or RAB Contractor Agreement to the RAB/Local 32BJ Security Officer

 

Agreement.

 

Any Employer wishing to remove its Guards from this Agreement and, instead, have those

 

Guards covered under the RAB Security Officers Agreement shall, together with the RAB,

 

negotiate a transition agreement with the Union facilitating such transfer consistent with

 

established transition agreements. This transition procedure is exclusive to the Union and the

 

RAB, and in such circumstances, the Union shall not unreasonably withhold its agreement to

 

transfer such Guards to the RAB Security Officer Agreement.

 

Howar�,-

 

President, RAB

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

19

 

December 27, 2023

 

Howard Rothschild, President

 

Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, Inc.

 

One Penn Plaza, Suite 2 1 1 0

 

New York, NY 1 0 1 1 9

 

Re: Reduction in Force

 

Dear Howard:

 

This will confirm our understanding during our recent negotiations that the Union and the RAB

 

will reaffirm their commitment to the Special Committee process set forth in Article V of the

 

Commercial Building Agreement and in Article XIII of the Contractors Agreement.

 

Upon the request of the President of the RAB, the Special Committee shall meet on at least a

 

quarterly basis or more frequently as necessary.

 

To keep the New York City area Real Estate Industry competitive and productive, the parties

 

recommit that the Reduction in Force process under the Commercial and Contractors

 

Agreements will be utilized appropriately and in good faith.

 

in

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

dist2

 

President, RAB

 

20

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 18″ Street

 

New York, NY 10011

 

Re: Security Background Checks

 

Dear Manny:

 

This will confirm our understanding during our recent negotiations that an Employer may not

 

invoke Article XVI (General Clauses), Section 57 (Security Background Checks) in connection

 

with a Social Security “no match” letter.

 

Sincerely,

 

2de

 

President, RAB

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

21

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 18″ Street

 

New York, NY 10011

 

Re: Work Authorization and Status Disputes

 

Dear Manny:

 

In light of the diversity of the workforce in the industry and the changing regulatory

 

environment, the parties reaffirm the parties’ commitment to employees who need to resolve

 

issues related to the employees’ immigration or work authorization status.

 

Upon the request of either party, the parties shall establish a joint committee to discuss issues

 

related to employees’ Work Authorization. The Committee shall consist of the President of Local

 

32BJ and the President of the RAB, or their designees.

 

7s

 

President, RAB

 

AGREED:

 

e4f

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

22

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 18″ Street

 

New York, NY 10011

 

Re: Grievance and Arbitration

 

Dear Manny:

 

The parties agree to meet quarterly (i) to discuss issues related to streamlining grievance and

 

arbitration processes, including calendaring and exchanging information of case status, and (ii) to

 

conduct training for arbitrators on the panel. The parties also agree to meet once per month to

 

review the docket ofpending cases to ensure an expeditious resolution, and Local 32BJ shall also

 

provide the RAB a list of open reduction in force requests. The meetings shall be attended by the

 

President of Local 32BJ and the President of the RAB, or their designees. The parties will

 

coordinate with the Office of the Contract Arbitrator to regularly schedule reserved open days in

 

accordance with the parties’ Office of the Contract Arbitrator Protocols for case administration

 

to ensure the timely adjudication of reduction in force cases.

 

Sincerely

 

Howard ot

 

President, RAB

 

AGREED:

 

a

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

23

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 1 8 Street

 

New York, NY 10011

 

Re: Industry Seniority

 

Dear Manny:

 

The parties recognize that, in situations in which an employee with many years of continuous

 

service in the industry is forced to bump into another location and then faces a change of

 

employer at that location, the employee’s seniority standing for purpose of layoff and recall may

 

be impacted. The parties agree to meet in committee to discuss ways to address this and like

 

circumstances. The committee shall consist of the President of the RAB and the President of the

 

Union, or their designees.

 

AGREED:

 

+df-

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

24

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 18 Street

 

New York, NY 10011

 

Re: Fire Safety Directors

 

Dear Manny:

 

This will confirm our understanding that the revisions made to Article XVI (General Clauses),

 

Section 56 (Fire Safety Director) in the collective bargaining agreement between the Union and

 

the Employer covering the period from January 1, 2024 through December 3 1 , 2027 providing

 

for annual lump-sum payments of $500.00 to regularly assigned EAP Coordinators, Fire Safety

 

Directors and Assistant and/or Deputy Fire Safety Directors are not intended to, and shall not,

 

create any obligations on the part of the Employer to increase the base on which overtime pay is

 

calculated or otherwise alter overtime payments to such employees as a result of such lump-sum

 

payments. Rather, such payments are intended to defray expenses incurred in seeking or

 

maintaining certification, and are not made as compensation for hours of employment.

 

For the avoidance of any doubt, any disputes over the lump-sum payments made to regularly

 

assigned EAP Coordinators, Fire Safety Directors and Assistant and/or Deputy Fire Safety

 

Directors, including any disputes over pay arising from or relating to such payments, shall be

 

subject to the grievance and arbitration provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

 

..4M.a

 

President, RAB

 

zkct:A G RE E D : �

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 1 8 Street

 

New York, NY 1 0 0 1 1

 

Re: Permissive Guidelines for Building Closings for Reconstruction or Demolition

 

Dear Manny:

 

Over the last few years, there has been a number of building closings for reconstruction or

 

demolition in our industry. Working together, the RAB, the Union, and the relevant Employers

 

have developed a process of successfully working together that advances everyone’s interests

 

and minimizes layoffs.

 

This letter generally describes how that process has worked. Where the Employer knows in

 

advance that all or a substantial portion of a building will be closing for reconstruction or

 

demolition and likely cause the displacement and/or layoff of the Employer’s employees at the

 

building:

 

• the Employer shall notify the Union as soon as practicable;

 

• the parties shall discuss the closure plan; and

 

• in order to minimize displacement and layoffs, the parties may agree to a process

 

whereby employees are offered placement in positions at other locations prior to or in

 

conjunction with the closing of the building.

 

To be clear, the parties are not required to agree to such a process. In the absence of such an

 

agreement, there shall be no abridgement of employees’ rights under the Contractors Agreement,

 

including the employees’ right to recall, consideration for vacation positions, or termination pay.

 

Nor shall there be any abridgment of the Employer’s rights.

 

This side letter is entered into on a non-precedential basis and shall not be subject to the

 

grievance and arbitration procedure of the relevant collective bargaining agreement.

 

92..

 

.4xi.

 

President, RAB

 

AGREED:

 

4.ls

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

26

 

December 27, 2023

 

Howard Rothschild, President

 

Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, Inc.

 

One Penn Plaza, Suite 2 1 1 0

 

New York, NY 1 0 1 1 9

 

Re: Labor-Management Cooperation Trust Fund

 

Dear Howard:

 

The parties will continue the Labor-Management Cooperation Trust Fund (“LMCF”), under the

 

existing agreement and declaration of trust previously agreed to by the parties (“LMCF Trust

 

Agreement”), as amended. The LMCF Trust Agreement includes the following terms and

 

conditions which shall continue until its extended termination date contained in this Side Letter:

 

(i) the sole and exclusive purpose of the LMCF shall be the containment of healthcare costs,

 

including healthcare pricing, for the benefit of Union membership and Employers in New York

 

City and surrounding areas; (ii) the LMCF shall be funded by diverting future contributions to

 

the Health Fund at the beginning of the Fund’s fiscal year in the amount of one million dollars

 

($1,000,000) in 2024 and two million dollars ($2,000,000) in 2025; (iii) the LMCF shall

 

terminate on June 30, 2026, subject to an appropriate wind-down period after termination, and

 

any net assets remaining at the time of termination shall be allocated in accordance with the

 

terms of the LMCF Trust Agreement; (iv) the rules and procedures established in the LMCF

 

Trust Agreement regarding Trustees, quorum, voting, deadlock, and other Trustee procedures

 

shall continue until the termination of the LMCF.

 

±..

 

&/%s.a

 

AGREED:

 

a%

 

President, RAB

 

27

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 18″ Street

 

New York, NY 10011

 

Re: 2024 Commercial Building and Commercial Contractor Voluntary Early

 

Retirement Incentive Program

 

Dear Manny:

 

This will confirm our understanding that the parties agree to offer to certain early-retirementeligible employees working under the 2024 RAB Commercial Building Agreement

 

(“Commercial Building Agreement”) and the 2024 RAB Contractors Agreement (“Contractors

 

Agreement”), a Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Program (“2024 Commercial VERIP”), as

 

specified herein.

 

a) The parties agree that the following benefits (collectively, the “2024 Commercial

 

VERIP Benefits”) shall be provided to each Eligible Employee, as defined below in

 

Paragraph (c), who makes a Retirement Election, as defined below in Paragraph (d):

 

1. A one-time lump sum contribution to the Eligible Employee’s Supplemental

 

Retirement Savings Plan (“SRSP) account in the amount of $20,000 (or such

 

lesser amount permitted under limits set by the Internal Revenue Code and

 

other applicable law) (“SRSP Lump Sum Contribution”) funded by the

 

diversion of contributions payable to the Building Service 32BJ Health Fund

 

(“Health Fund) on behalf of participants in the Metropolitan and Suburban

 

Plans, that are subject to the terms of the Commercial Building and

 

Contractors Agreements (including security officers who have transitioned to

 

the RAB Security Officers Agreement), and the independent counterparts of

 

the Commercial Building and Contractors Agreements;

 

n. A fifteen percent (15%) pension benefit total improvement above the Eligible

 

Employee’s current entitlement, which is inclusive of the ten percent (10%)

 

pension benefit improvement recommended to the Building Service 32BJ

 

Pension Fund (“Pension Fund”) Trustees for all Program A and B participants

 

in the 2023 Stipulation of Agreement;

 

iii. For Eligible Employees below the age of 65, continued coverage under the

 

32BJ Health Fund until the employee reaches the age of 65; and

 

iv. There shall be no reduction in any Eligible Employee’s pension benefit for

 

electing early retirement pursuant to the terms of the 2024 Commercial

 

VERIP.

 

b) The parties further agree to recommend to the appropriate Boards of Trustees that the

 

Health Fund, the SRSP, and the Pension Fund be amended in accordance with the

 

28

 

terms of this 2024 Commercial VERIP to provide the benefits described in Paragraph

 

(a).

 

c) An Eligible Employee is an employee who:

 

1. Is or will be age 60 or older on or before August 3 1 , 2024;

 

ii. Is a vested participant in the Pension Fund;

 

iii. Has or will have at least 15 years of Service Credit under Program A or B or a

 

combination of Programs A and B as of July 1 , 2024; and

 

iv. Remains in active employment through June 1, 2024 or later and commences

 

benefits under the Pension Fund effective between July 1, 2024 and

 

September 1 , 2024.

 

d) To make a voluntary Retirement Election, an Eligible Employee must:

 

1. During the window period of April 1 , 2024 through and including July 3 1 ,

 

2024, complete and submit the Retirement Election Form, electing an

 

employment termination date between June 2, 2024 and August 3 1 , 2024;

 

11. Elects to start their benefits under the Pension Fund effective between July 1 ,

 

2024 and September 1, 2024; and

 

iii. Sign a Release on or after the Eligible Employee’s last day worked in a form

 

acceptable to the Employer and the RAB, and not revoke such Release. The

 

Union agrees and acknowledges on its own behalf, and on behalf of Eligible

 

Employees, that 2024 Commercial VERIP Benefits are greater than any

 

payment or benefit to which an Eligible Employee might be entitled under any

 

policy, plan or procedure, or pursuant to any prior agreement or contract,

 

including any collective bargaining agreement. The Union understands and

 

agrees that each Eligible Employee will not receive the 2024 Commercial

 

VERIP Benefits if they do not sign a Release or timely revokes and executed

 

Release.

 

e) To commence receiving their Pension benefits, Eligible Employees shall apply to the

 

Pension Fund in accordance with the Pension Fund’s rules and regulations.

 

f) Effective no later than the day prior to the effective date of their retirement, Eligible

 

Employees who are actively employed shall cease employment, and Eligible

 

Employees who are in layoff status or on paid or unpaid leave of absence at the time

 

of their Retirement Election, shall be removed from their building and Employer’s

 

recall list no later than the day before their retirement. Upon cessation of

 

employment, the Employer shall have no obligation to employ or reemploy any

 

individual in the vacant positions.

 

g) Within two weeks of the Release’s Effective Date (as defined in the Release), Eligible

 

29

 

Employees who make the Retirement Election shall be paid termination pay in the

 

amounts set forth in the applicable Agreement (specifically, Article XXI, Section

 

2l(a) of the Commercial Building Agreement and Article XVI, Section 26(a) ofthe

 

Contractors Agreement) based on the employee’s years of service and payment of

 

2024 vacation pay, less any amounts for 2024 vacation pay that were previously paid

 

and/or wage advances that were the subject of a contemporaneous writing executed

 

by the employee at the time of the advance. There will be no duplication or

 

pyramiding of termination pay payments under this 2024 Commercial VERIP.

 

h) In the event that an Eligible Employee participates in the 2024 Commercial VERIP

 

and receives the 2024 Commercial VERIP Benefits then subsequently returns to

 

employment in the Industry, the employee may be treated as a new hire for paid time

 

off and shall be subject to a ninety (90) day wait period for the commencement of

 

employer contributions to 32BJ Benefit Funds, including the Pension Fund where

 

applicable. Any such employee who returns to employment with an Industry

 

Employer contributing to the Building Service 32BJ Pension Fund after participating

 

in the 2024 Commercial VERIP and receiving the 2024 Commercial VERIP Benefits

 

shall have their pension benefits suspended during the period of such subsequent

 

Industry employment consistent with the Pension Fund’s plan documents. Further,

 

any such employee who returns to employment with an Industry Employer

 

contributing to the Building Service 32BJ Pension Fund in the “others,” guard, or

 

superintendent classifications may be treated as a new hire without Industry

 

Experience for wage rate purposes.

 

i) Employees who are employed pursuant to an independent commercial collective

 

bargaining agreement that adopts reallocations of 32BJ Benefit Fund contributions

 

agreed to by the Union and the RAB in the Commercial Building and Contractors

 

Agreements, and who meet the eligibility criteria set forth in Paragraph (c) above,

 

shall be eligible to participate in the 2024 Commercial VERIP pursuant to these

 

terms.

 

j) The Union withdraws, with prejudice, and shall not grieve, arbitrate, or litigate, any

 

and all claims arising from or relating to the employment with any Employer of any

 

Eligible Employee who voluntarily makes a Retirement Election. Further, any dispute

 

arising under, out of, or in relation to this 2024 Commercial VERIP agreement, other

 

than Funds-related matters, will be exclusively settled by binding arbitration before

 

designated arbitrators pursuant to the corresponding 2024 Commercial VERIP

 

documents as described in Paragraph (k) below. Matters related to Fund Benefits

 

shall be resolved in accordance with the Funds’ respective Trust Agreements and the

 

Plan documents. The designated 2024 Commercial VERIP Arbitrator shall be David

 

Reilly, unless he is unable or unwilling to serve, in which case the parties shall agree

 

upon an arbitrator.

 

k) The parties agree that appropriate documents (e.g., a Retirement Election Form, a

 

Retirement Release, and a 2024 Commercial VERIP Notice Letter) shall be drafted

 

by counsel and approved by the parties; provided however, the terms, conditions, and

 

language of such documents will be, in all relevant materials respects identical to

 

30

 

those agreed to by the parties for the July 2020 Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive

 

Program including, without limitation, those provisions concerning arbitration,

 

release of claims, and employee obligations.

 

if7

 

President, RAB

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

31

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 18″ Street

 

New York, NY 10011

 

Re: Post-COVID Transition Protocols

 

Dear Manny:

 

This letter confirms the parties’ understanding that contractors that are members ofthe RAB and

 

bound to the RAB Contractors Agreement and who are subcontractors for employers who are

 

signatories to the RAB Commercial Building Agreement, may, with their Commercial Building

 

Agreement signatory client, utilize the Post-Covid Transition Protocol set forth in the parties’

 

side letter to the Commercial Building Agreement.

 

Sincerely

 

.#s.

 

President, RAB

 

AGREED:

 

zed’

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

32

 

December 27, 2023

 

Manny Pastreich, President

 

SEIU, Local 32BJ

 

25 West 18″ Street

 

New York, NY 10011

 

Re: 2024 Ratification Bonus

 

Dear Manny:

 

The parties agree that a one-time ratification bonus will be paid to certain eligible employees (as

 

discussed more fully below). This will confirm the details of that ratification bonus.

 

In accordance with the annual rates of contributions set forth in Article X, Section A(2), in 2024,

 

the monthly rate of contribution to the Health Fund shall be $1,991 per covered employee.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, the rate of contribution for the months of

 

January 2024 and February 2024 (payable respectively on or before February 20, 2024 and

 

March 20, 2024) shall be $150.00 per month per covered employee, with the corresponding

 

reduction in the annual rate of contribution for 2024.

 

After the Union provides the RAB with notice that its membership has fully ratified this

 

Agreement, each employee for whom the Employer is obligated to contribute to the Health Fund

 

as of March 20, 2024, including part-time employees who work more than two days per week,

 

and those on leave for whom the employer is obligated to contribute to the Health Fund as of

 

March 20, 2024, shall receive a one-time, lump-sum, ratification bonus of three thousand dollars

 

($3,000), minus all applicable taxes, withholdings and deductions. The ratification bonus will be

 

paid on March 22, 2024, or 30 calendar days after ratification, whichever is later.

 

The parties agree that the ratification bonus shall not be considered compensation for hours of

 

employment purposes, and instead shall be deemed excluded form the definition of regular rate

 

for purposes of calculating overtime pay. For the avoidance of any doubt, any disputes over the

 

ratification bonus made to eligible employees, including any disputes over pay arising from or

 

relating to such payments, shall be subject to the grievance and arbitration provisions of the

 

collective bargaining agreement including, without limitation, any wage and hour claim.

 

#z,How���

 

President, RAB

 

AGREED:

 

33

 

President, SEIU, Local 32BJ

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