A couple dozen Service Employees International Union 32BJ members took to the bike paths and roadways on Aug. 10 to protest developer TF Cornerstone, which they allege does not easily allow workers to unionize.
Bicylists, who wore bright T-shirts that read “$2 for the American Dream,” began at 27th Street and Park Avenue in front of TF Conerstone’s headquarters, crossed the Queensboro Bridge and ended at the TF Cornerstone building called East Coast, in Long Island City.
The union released a statement saying that “for just $2 per hour per worker more, Cornerstone could stop this destructive race to the bottom that stands in the way of the American Dream for service workers.” The union alleges that the $2 would pay for all the benefits each Cornerstone worker would get if all the workers joined the 55,000 individuals already in the union.
There are two ways to unionize. The company and the union could voluntarily sit down together. Or secondly, the workers could vote in a secret ballot election supervised by the National Labor Relations Board. The majority opinion would win.
Workers at the LIC building say most of the 20 workers want to join the union. Twelve employees have printed their photos on a pamphlet stating their pro-union stance, but they still have not formally voted.
Union reps have said that going to a vote could take several years, where a sit-down could start the unionization process right away.
TF Cornerstone Executive Vice President Kevin Singleton has said the process has been streamlined and that the company doesn’t want to sit down with the union until the workers vote.
He has stated in past phone interviews that there might be a few “mouthpieces” for the union who make it look like everyone wants to join, but that may not be the case.
As members of 32BJ, after paying fees, workers would receive a $1,200 to $1,400 monthly pension after at least 25 years of work, as well as access to free classes ranging from carpentry to fire safety.
TF Cornerstone does not offer a pension. However, the company offers employees a 401(k) plan. For every dollar an employee contributes, TF Cornerstone adds 50 cents. As for training, the employer offers each worker $1,000 to take classes.
“We don’t begrudge Cornerstone’s success,” said Larry Engelstein, executive vice president-elect of 32BJ. “But when you charge $5,000 for a two bedroom, shouldn’t you provide the workers who run these buildings with what they need to live and advance in New York City?”
In the spring 32BJ came to Community Board 2 for support. A decision by CB2 was tabled on April 12 and on May 3. Many members thought the board’s original letter of support was too specific to the dispute between the company and the union.
The last action came on June 9 when the board passed a letter in favor of workers’ rights — both unionized and nonunionized. Both 32BJ and TF Cornerstone were content with the letter.
