Building Workers Reach Contract Deal

New York, NY —

Doormen, porters and other building workers are on the job this morning. A strike was averted after their union reached a tentative contract deal with property owners.

REPORTER: About a million apartment dwellers can rest easy, they won't have to take the trash out, watch over front doors or perform other duties that the 28,000 residential building workers do.

Just before midnight, the union extended the strike deadline. When they came back with building owners, both sides said they had a fair deal. Local 32BJ spokesman Matt Nerzig says concessions were made but nobody lost.

NERZIG: It's a good solid deal. It's good for the workers, it's a win win.

REPORTER: Workers get an 8 1/4 percent increase over 4 years, but their raises don't kick in until October, which gives owners the half -year pay freeze they wanted. Workers will still not have to contribute to health care costs, something the union had demanded. And they get to keep their pensions instead of switching to 401ks.

The union expects members to ratify the deal in about 3 weeks.