32BJ Strike Preparedness: How NYC Building Owners Can Maintain Operations Without Disruption

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With the potential 32BJ SEIU strike looming ahead of the April 20 deadline, residential building owners and property managers across New York City are facing a critical question:

How do you keep your building running if your entire staff walks out overnight?

This is not a hypothetical scenario. A strike would impact more than 34,000 residential building workers across the city—affecting day-to-day operations in thousands of properties.

For ownership and management, preparation is no longer optional—it’s essential.

union workers on strike
32BJ workers on strike as deadline for their contract approaches.

What a 32BJ Strike Means for Your Building

Union workers represented by 32BJ are responsible for the core functions that keep residential buildings operational, including:

  • Doormen and concierge staff
  • Porters and cleaning personnel
  • Handymen and maintenance staff
  • Building support personnel

If a strike occurs, buildings could immediately experience:

  • Unmanned lobbies and lack of access control
  • Disruptions in package handling and resident services
  • Trash buildup and sanitation concerns
  • Delays in basic maintenance
  • Increased tenant complaints and dissatisfaction

Your building will still be open—but without the staff that keeps it functioning.


The Immediate Risk: Security, Liability, and Tenant Confidence

The most critical gap during a strike is front-of-house coverage and security.

Without trained personnel:

  • Anyone can walk into your building
  • Visitor screening and package control disappears
  • Emergency response coordination becomes limited

This creates real exposure—not just operationally, but legally and financially.

At the same time, tenant confidence can deteriorate quickly. Residents expect a certain level of service and safety—and any disruption is immediately noticed.


The Smart Approach: Contingency Planning Before April 20

The most effective property managers are already taking action by:

  • Securing backup staffing partners in advance
  • Mapping out essential building functions by shift
  • Identifying coverage gaps across doorman, porter, and security roles
  • Communicating early expectations with residents

Waiting until a strike is confirmed will put your building in direct competition for limited staffing resources.


A Full-Service Staffing Solution: More Than Just Security

At Kings Security Services, we support residential buildings with complete operational coverage, not just security personnel.

Doormen & Concierge Coverage

Maintain a professional lobby presence with trained staff who can:

  • Control access and greet residents
  • Manage guest entry and deliveries
  • Provide continuity in tenant experience

Licensed Security Personnel

Ensure your building remains protected with:

  • Access control and monitoring
  • Incident response and reporting
  • 24/7 coverage options

Porter & Building Support Staff

Keep your property clean, functional, and presentable:

  • Trash removal and common area cleaning
  • Basic building upkeep
  • Support for day-to-day operations

Why Early Planning Matters

In large-scale labor disruptions, timing is everything.

Buildings that plan ahead:

  • Secure reliable, trained personnel
  • Maintain operational stability
  • Avoid inflated last-minute costs

Buildings that wait:

  • Struggle to find coverage
  • Compromise on quality
  • Face unnecessary disruption

Keep Your Building Running—No Matter What

A potential strike does not have to mean chaos or interruption.

With the right partner in place, your building can continue to operate smoothly, safely, and professionally—without compromising service or security.


Preparing with Kings Security Services

We are currently working with NYC property managers and building owners to:

  • Develop customized strike contingency plans
  • Allocate staffing across doorman, security, and porter roles
  • Ensure seamless transition and coverage if a strike occurs

If you are evaluating your building’s preparedness, the best time to act is now.

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