Res. No. 1431 Title Resolution calling upon the Muss Development Company to negotiate in good faith with its workers and reach mutually satisfactory agreements. Body By Council Members Linares, Fisher, Quinn, DiBrienza, Perkins, Michels, Carrion, Eldridge, Freed, Henry, Lopez, Marshall, Nelson and the Public Advocate (Mr. Green); also Council Members Eisland, Robinson, Rodriguez, Cruz, Stabile, Koslowitz and Warden Whereas, According to Local 32B - 32J of the Service Employees, International Union AFL-CIO, the cleaners at Brooklyn Renaissance Plaza have been on strike since May 16, 2000 over unfair labor practices allegedly committed by their employer, the Muss Development Company, and have been on strike two times previously in the past year against Muss's prior cleaning contractor; and Whereas, The Union has advised that the cleaners, the majority of whom are immigrant, minority and women workers, are paid far below the industry standard, receiving poverty wages and minimal benefits; and Whereas, The National Labor Relations Board has issued a formal complaint alleging that Muss Development Company has intimidated, threatened, and coerced, its cleaners; and Whereas, In connection to Renaissance Plaza and the Marriott Hotel, Muss Development and its partners have received millions of dollars in City subsidies and tax abatements, including: real property tax savings; mortgage recording savings; sales and use tax savings during building construction; job retention tax credits for tenants; and industrial revenue bonds issued by the New York City Industrial Development Agency; and Whereas, The Muss Development Company and its partners receive rental dollars from public tenants such as the Brooklyn District Attorney, the New York City Employees Retirement System, Community Board 2, and the New York City Corporation Counsel; and Whereas, Tax breaks and subsidies are designed to foster economic development and the well-being of the City, not to keep workers in poverty; and Whereas, The public should not be forced to further subsidize employers who do not provide decent wages and basic benefits, since the cost of health care and other assistance programs is passed on to taxpayers; and Whereas, Over 90 percent of commercial buildings in New York City are cleaned by workers who are paid prevailing wages, receive health care and full benefits, and are protected from unfair treatment on the job by a union contract; and Whereas, The City of New York already requires that prevailing wages be paid to cleaners employed by City agencies and/or their cleaning contractors; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Muss Development Company to negotiate in good faith with its workers and reach mutually satisfactory agreements. LS#3185 CHM:ts 06/21/00 |1013|