Guest Rules
December 2010
As a result of complaints received from residents who expressed concern about building security and life safety, we have updated and are once again reminding all Staff, Shareholders and Residents of the rules relative to allowing guests access to our building.
There are no exceptions to these rules unless authorized by management. Please do not place the staff in an embarrassing position by having them deny access to a legitimate visitor.
The rules are:
1) Guests may be granted access if the shareholder is home and allows them to enter the building.
2) Guests may be allowed access to the building if the shareholder has given a the Superintendent or the Management Office written notice of the guests arriving, with the exact names of the guests and duration of their stay. Arriving guests must show ID (unless the doorman knows the guest) and the name(s) must be logged into the log book.
A visitor will not be given access to the building by simply having a key and stating that they are guests of so and so.
We urge your cooperation.
Renovations at 57th & Second
An article in the 12/7/10 NY POST advises:
“A DRAMATIC new 60 story residential tower will soon be rising on the southwest corner of Second Avenue and E. 57th St. Next Year, a 38,000 square foot Whole Foods will open in a 14 story adjacent site. This first phase of the project encompasses two new public schools that will face 56th Street and rise on top of the 57th Street, facing Whole Foods>
The second phase of the 1 million square foot project ….will be focused on the 660 foot tall tower with luxury rentals topped by luxury condominiums.
Also, at its base, another 74,000 square feet of retail will run 112 feet from the corner of 57th Street and Second Avenue west to the Whole Foods, which itself has 200 feet o;f fdrontage and is expected to enliven the area…..”
Bed Bug Advisory
Due to the significant publicity of the increased infestation in New York City and other communities throughout the USA, we call your attention to our July 1, 2010 Newsletter and ask you to review the story relative to bed bugs. It is imperative that if you find any problem, a report be made immediately to our Superintendant and Managing Agent.
Inspections must be made and apartments treated next to, above and below any unit that has bedbugs.
New Labor Contract for Doormen/Porters
NEW 4-YEAR BUILDING SERVICE EMPLOYEES CONTRACT
A Fair Contract with Significant Innovations
At midnight on Tuesday, April 20, 2010, Michael Fishman, president of Local 32BJ of the Building Service Employees International Union, and Howard Rothschild, president of the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, Inc. shook hands on a four year contract agreement that includes pay increases of 2.33% per year. for 32BJ’s 3000 residential apartment building workers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.
Pledged Savings in Health Costs
The contract further provides that the Health Fund, which is jointly administered by trustees from the Union and from the RAB, will commission a study to help implement annual savings of $70,000,000 or 10% of the Health Plan’s current average annual expenditures beginning no later than January 1, 2012.
Employer Contributions Firmly Capped
Caps on employer contributions to the Health and Pension plans during the life of this contract ensure that if, as was the case in 2004, the reserves of either Health or Pension plans should become depleted, employers will not be responsible to make any additional contributions (the opposite was the case in 2004 when employers agreed to substantial, unexpected contributions ($2400 per employee) to rescue the then failing health fund. This dramatic change in the paradigm ensures employers of certainty in their budgeting for labor during the term of this contract. All parties are optimistic that no problems will arise, and that the anticipated economies will be easily achieved.
Reduction In Force
In addition, in recognition of the length and the extent of the economic downturn an important phrase has been added to the contract provision regarding Reduction In Force, enabling a building to reduce staff upon submitting proof of financial hardship, provided that no additional work is added to the job descriptions of remaining employees.
A Fair Agreement
The building service workers who are members of Local 32BJ are the best paid service workers in the world; they also have excellent benefits and training opportunities. And this is as it should be. These workers keep our buildings safe and clean. They are part of the community that is our cooperative or condominium. They watch our children grow up; they help us daily in many ways largae and small. We are all pleased that the current negotiation has produced a contract that is fair to one and all.
Pattern Agreement
The RAB negotiates a pattern agreement, which each of its residential members with 32BJ employees is then invited to sign, Copies of the agreement will shortly be sent to your building (or your managing agent). If your cooperative or condominium has six or more employees, your superintendent is a Resident Manager, subject to an agreement that expires June 20th.
Repair Authorization
In order to eliminate any confusion concerning non-emergency repairs or special requests by shareholders or residents, we will require a signed authorization form before any arrangements are made for such repairs or requests. Please read the authorization form carefully before signing it.
Shareholders nor residents are required to use the Co-op’s contractors. However, if you choose to use your own contractor you must follow the Co-op’s construction rules and requirements. This information can be obtained from our Managing Agent.
Emergency repairs will be billed back to the shareholder as dictated by the Co-op’s Proprietary Lease and House Rules.
REQUEST FOR EMAIL ADDRESSES
IF YOU WANT TO GET BUILDING INFORMATION WITHOUT WAITING FOR “SNAIL MAIL”, PLEASE SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO:
gbenson339@verizon.net
Laundry Room
The laundry machines will accept the SMART CARD only.
Keep your individual Smart Card in a safe place when not being used. If you lose the card, you will have to purchase a new one and $3.00 will be deducted from the amount of money you insert. For example, if you have to buy a new card and insert $10, you will receive a card which only has a $7.00 credit.
The LG washers installed in November 2007 are front loaders and have a highcapacity.
The cost for a wash cycle and a 45 minute dry cycle is $1.35 each.
If you are a new shareholder and have moved into the building, please contact Gerry Benson to receive your free SMART CARD which has a $5.00 credit on it.