32BJ SEIU and Realty Advisory Board settle four-year contract in New York City, averting a strike by about 34,000 workers
32BJ SEIU and the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations reached a tentative four-year contract on April 17, 2026, averting a strike by 34,000 New York City residential building service workers. Union leaders say the agreement delivers a $4.50 hourly wage increase over the term, fully employer-paid family healthcare with no premium sharing, and a 15% pension improvement. The strike had been authorized earlier this week as the current contract was set to expire at midnight on April 20 across thousands of buildings. Both sides announced the deal at a Friday news conference.
In a separate action the same day, Vestis laundry workers represented by UFCW 3000 voted 100% to authorize a strike after rejecting a contract. The union urged members to prepare for a strike and outlined steps to access benefits during any work stoppage, while workers seek to maintain health coverage, secure retirement, and wages that keep pace with living costs. Taken together, the developments show settlement and strike-authorization activity occurring on April 17 in U.S. service sectors.
On April 17, a major New York City settlement coincided with a 100% strike-authorization vote at Vestis, indicating simultaneous bargaining pressure across U.S. service industries.