The BRI Agrees to a New Labor Contract with Local 32-BJ, Continued from P
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$30K pledged to make effort work: WHITE PLAINS stock in cooperative housing corporations. Culminating a pitched political, public relations and advertis- Approached by leaders in both the legislative and executive Westchester County and ing battle that lasted for the better part of this year, the Cooper- branches of county government, officials of the CCAC, a major ative and Condominium Advisory Council (CCAC) of Westchester component organization of The Building and Realty Institute of Co-op Council Clash and County, representing more than 400 cooperatives throughout Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Region (BRI), forged compro- the county, came to a compromise agreement with Westchester mise language that delineates time windows for co-op boards to then Come to A Compromise County legislators and Westchester County Executive George process applications and provides a mechanism for the county’s Latimer over legislation impacting the purchase of shares of Continued on p. 7 Serving Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Region News for the Building and Realty Industry Years of Providing Knowledge ImpactOCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 VOL. 17 NO. 4 72to the Building Community FEATURES The BRI Agrees to A New 2 From The Editor’s Desk: Hanley’s Labor Contract with Local 32-BJ Highlights By Jeff Hanley, IMPACT Editor tor during the negotiations. “The Average The committee was composed of the fol- Salary Increase of 2.27 percent is below the lowing BRI members: A “Team Approach” WHITE PLAINS Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the last 12 ACMA: David Amster (Committee Chair), Produces A Victory n what is termed by building and months (2.9%). And, buildings should see John Holzinger, Brian Scally, for the BRI realty industry officials as “a note- significant savings with the new Work As- Jeff Stillman. By Jeff Hanley, worthy victory for employers,” the signment Language that was agreed upon AOAC: Gene Conroy, Cindy Mauro, Lisa IMPACT Editor Building and Realty Institute (BRI) between the two parties. The Negotiating DeRosa, Brian McCarthy, Carmelo Milio. recently agreed to a new labor con- Committee of the BRI achieved just what it CCAC: Clementine Carbo, Peg Conover, 2 Insurance Insights tract with Local 32-BJ Service Em- wanted. It was a victory for our employer Cesare Manfredi, Joseph Parone. ployees International Union (SEIU). members.” Carl Finger, Esq., of Finger and Finger, The agreement, which runs from Oct. 1, Albert Annunziata, executive director of A Professional Corporation, worked with I2018 through Sep. 30, 2022, was reached the BRI, described the efforts of the BRI’s Persanis and the Negotiating Committee at approximately 6 p.m. on Sep. 28 at the Negotiating Committee as “outstanding.” during the negotiations. Finger and Finger Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains. The “The committee, led by Chairman David is the Chief Counsel to the BRI. Important Reviews of New settlement capped two months of intense Amster, did a tremendous job,” Annunziata York’s New Sexual Harassment negotiations between the two entities. said. “They represented the members of The Details Prevention Law and Your The BRI bargained on behalf of its Collec- our Collective Bargaining Group (CBG) in an A Summary Memo on the negotiations Insurance tive Bargaining Group (CBG). The group is outstanding way.” was sent to the BRI’s membership and its By Ken Fuirst and Jason Schiciano, composed of more than 430 buildings and The Negotiating Committee represented Collective Bargaining Group (CBG) on Oct. 2. Levitt-Fuirst Associates, Insurance complexes. the three realty associations of the BRI: The summary is below: Managers for The Builders Institute “The overall increases are below those The Advisory Council of Managing Agents (BI)/Building and Realty Institute (BRI) (Average Salary Increase: 2.27 from the last (2014-2018) contract,” said (ACMA), The Apartment Owners Advisory Wages percent below the CPI for the last 12 Matthew Persanis, Esq., labor counsel to Council (AOAC) and The Cooperative and months, 2.9 percent): 2 Co-op and the BRI and the association’s Lead Negotia- Condominium Advisory Council (CCAC). Condo Corner Continued on p. 8 Examining the Problems that Internet Usage Can Industry Analysis: Produce For Boards New York State Imposes Sexual of Co-ops, Condos Remodeling Confidence and their Managing Harassment Policy Adoption & Training Agents Remains Solid in the By Diana Virrill, Chair, for All Employers in New York Cooperative and Condominium Advisory Third Quarter By Matthew Persanis, Esq., Labor Counsel, Building and Realty Institute (BRI) Council (CCAC) By Jeff Hanley, IMPACT Editor 3 Counsels’ Corner WASHINGTON, D.C. EASTCHESTER he National Association of Home Builders ffective October of 2018, all employers in New York State must adopt a Sexual Harass- T(NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted ment Policy and must complete Sexual Harassment Training by April of 2019. a reading of 58 in the third quarter, remaining what E The legislation requires all employers to adopt the model Sexual Harassment association officials termed as “stable from the pre- Prevention Policy or modify current policy to conform with the new requirements. The vious quarter.” NAHB released the report on Oct. 18. model policy may be found on the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) website: The study said that the RMI has been consis- www.ny.gov/programs/combating-sexual-harassment-workplace. Proposed Legislation by tently above 50 - indicating that more remodelers Westchester County Affects report market activity is higher compared to the Requirements the Cooperative Application prior quarter than report it is lower - since the Every employer in New York State is required to adopt a Sexual Harassment Prevention Process second quarter of 2013. The overall RMI averages Policy. An employer that does not adopt the model policy must ensure that the policy that By Kenneth J. Finger, Carl L. Finger, & current remodeling activity and future indicators, they adopt meets or exceeds the following minimum standards. Daniel S. Finger, Finger & Finger, Chief The policy must: the study added. Counsel to The Builders Institute (BI)/ ◆ Prohibit sexual harassment consistent with guidance issued by the Department of “Remodelers across the country are seeing Building and Realty Institute (BRI) Labor (DOL) in consultation with the Division of Human Rights; home owner demand remain strong through the ◆ Provide examples of prohibited conduct that would constitute unlawful sexual harassment; 5 Membership midpoint of the year,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Continued on p. 9 A Question and Joanne Theunissen. “Both positive home price growth - albeit at a slightly slower rate - and good Answer Session, (HMI), added that builder confidence levels have Membership consumer confidence are supporting the steady Industry Report: remodeling market.” held in the high 60’s since June. The report was Director to Building released by NAHB on Oct. 16. and Realty Institute (BRI) Member! The Details Builder Confi- “Builders are motivated by solid housing By Maggie Collins, Director of Member- The Current Market Conditions category of the demand, fueled by a growing economy and a ship, The Builders Institute (BI)/Building RMI rose one point from the previous quarter dence Rises One generational low for unemployment,” said NAHB and Realty Institute (BRI) Chairman Randy Noel. “Builders are also relieved Continued on p. 4 Point in October that lumber prices have declined for three straight months from elevated levels earlier this summer, By Jeff Hanley, IMPACT Editor but they need to manage supply-side costs to keep WASHINGTON, D.C. home prices affordable.” uilder confidence in the market for new- “Favorable economic conditions and demograph- ly-built, single-family homes rose one point ic tailwinds should continue to support demand, Bto 68 in October, according to a building and but housing affordability has become a challenge realty industry report. due to ongoing price and interest rate increases,” The study, The National Association of Home said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Unless Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index Continued on p. 9 From the Editor’s Desk Co-op and Hanley’s Highlights Condo by Jeff Hanley Associate Director, Building and Realty Institute (BRI), Impact Editor Corner By Diana Virrill, Chair A “Team Approach” Produces A Victory for the BRI The Cooperative and Condominium Advisory Council (CCAC) ARMONK Cooperative and Condominium Advisory Council (CCAC). The committee was composed of the following BRI members: Examining the Problems that Team members in the world of sports ✦ ACMA: Amster (Committee Chair), John Holzinger, Brian often produce a series of phrases to Scally, Jeff Stillman. Internet Usage Can Produce describe a victory and its corresponding ✦ AOAC: Gene Conroy, Cindy Mauro, Lisa DeRosa, Brian McCa- For Boards of Co-ops, Condos achievements. rthy, Carmelo Milio. One of those common expressions often used by members ✦ CCAC: Clementine Carbo, Peg Conover, Cesare Manfredi, and their Managing Agents of the victorious team is “a total team effort.” Those involved Joseph Parone. WHITE PLAINS with the recent efforts of the Negotiating Committee of The A full report on the process and the triumphant efforts of the hile it is true that comments on issues affecting Building and Realty Institute (BRI) during its recent Labor BRI begins on Page One. The story is one of many important co-ops, condos, their respective Boards of Di- Contract Negotiations with Local 32-BJ Service Employees