Tentative contract for Bronx building workers

BRONX Officials say the 4,000 residential building workers suspended plans to walk off the job starting with the 7 a.m. shifts after progress was made overnight in talks between their union, Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, and the Bronx Realty Advisory Board, representing landlords.

The deal is contingent upon a vote among the general membership.

The union includes maintenance workers, doormen and porters.

The Bronx workers were seeking a hike in the minimum-wage rate under the contract, now $10 an hour, and a pension increase.

The average hourly wage for building workers in other boroughs is $18.69, according to the union, but the average for Bronx workers is lower.