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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 27, 2002
PR- 310-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY PROTECTION FROM LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR BUILDING SERVICE WORKERS

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

"The next bill before me today is Introductory Number 239-A, sponsored by Council Members Sanders, Jackson, Addabbo, Avella, Baez, Barron, Boyland, Brewer, Clarke, Comrie, Davis, DeBlasio, Dilan, Fidler, Foster, Gennaro, Gerson, Gioia, Katz, Koppell, Liu, Lopez, Martinez, McMahon, Monserrate, Nelson, Perkins, Provenzano, Quinn, Recchia, Reed, Reyna, Rivera, Seabrook, Sears, Serrano, Stewart, Vann, Weprin, Yassky, Gallagher, and Oddo.

"This bill will provide building service workers with temporary protection from loss of employment when the building that employs them is sold or transferred to another entity. It will also apply to building service contracts that are terminated and succeeded by a new contractor.

"Specifically, Intro. 239-A will require successor employers to retain the building service workers of the previous employer for a trial period of ninety days, after which time each worker can be dismissed. If the successor employer determines that it needs fewer employees than its predecessor, it must only retain the number of satisfactory existing employees it needs, in order of seniority. This legislation will not affect City-owned buildings.

"It is my understanding that 90% of building owners in Manhattan and a large majority in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island follow procedures similar to those implemented by this legislation.

"This version of Intro 239-A, especially one that will have a minimal impact on the City, was a collaborative effort between my Administration, the City Council, REBNY - the leading trade organization in this field - and SEIU/Local 32 B-J, the largest private sector union in the City representing building service workers."

 

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