NYC – Doormen and other building workers have struck a deal with building owners on a new four-year contract, averting a threatened strike.

More than 30,000 workers, including doormen, porters, handymen and superintendents had threatened to walk off the job at 12:01 a.m.

The strike would have affected nearly 3,200 buildings throughout the five boroughs.

Representatives from Local 32BJ and the Realty Advisory Board spent most of Tuesday in deep negotiations at the Sheraton Hotel in Midtown.

As part of the new deal, workers will receive a 10 percent wage increase over four years. They will also retain their current health and pension benefits.

“While it was a difficult time to negotiate, we had a good dialogue, we understood each other and we reached a fair agreement,” said Local 32BJ President Mike Fishman.

“This is a victory for building owners, employees and residents. Given these difficult economic times it is an agreement we all can be proud of,” said RAB President Howard Rothschild.

In response to the deal, Mayor Michael Bloomberg released a statement saying, “…In these difficult financial times we appreciate that both sides were able to work creatively to create real cost savings that could be translated into wage increases for hard working employees.”

(Source: NY1)