Page 13 - NY Cooperator April 2020

COOPERATOR.COM THE COOPERATOR — APRIL 2020 13 Providing Practical Legal Advice and Representation to Cooperative and Condominium Associations for More Than Forty Years • General Counsel • Residential and Commercial Real Estate and Leasing • Real Estate and Commercial Litigation • Mortgage Financing • Commercial, Corporate and Business Law • Comme • Mitchell-Lama Housing • Transfer Agent Services • Construction Law and Gas Conversions Jack Lepper: jlepper@kll-law.com Ronald Gold: rgold@kll-law.com Adam Finkelstein: afinkelstein@kll-law.com Fran Lawless: flawless@kll-law.com Fran L collective advocacy that the union provides (CHIP) is an association of about 4,000 respon- its members, 32BJ off ers more than 200 edu- cational courses and certifi cations through its rent-stabilized rental properties across all fi ve jointly administered multiemployer Training boroughs in New York City. CHIP supports the Fund—many of which have a strong safety-re- lated component. To be qualifi ed as a window York, advocating in Albany, City Hall, and in cleaner, for example, a candidate must pass a the courts for rational, business-friendly poli- series of training courses certifying them to cies and regulations. Th eir monthly newsletter carry out diff erent aspects of the job, such as provides members with industry information suspended scaff old safety and rope skills. Robert Sparer, partner at the labor and em- ployment law fi rm Clift on Budd & DeMaria, LLP in New York City, explains that “Safety is tion of Realty Managers (NYARM) provides something that is such a tremendously impor- tant factor in any operation that the unions will and peer networking for real estate profession- be involved in it to a great deal.” Ferranti agrees, als and property managers in New York. Th e adding that “All staff members and property association off ers continuing education, tech- managers can benefi t from health and safety nological training, and advanced certifi cations training to avoid accidents, and any such and credentialing for its members. training plans are determined by the individ- ual residential buildings. If the employees are responsibility for staff , managers must be well participants in the 32BJ Training Fund, there versed in all applicable rules and regulations are classes that include signifi cant content on that pertain to their workers. Conferences as training, including Industrial Training.” 32BJ courses are off ered free of charge at managers the opportunity to stay informed various locations throughout the jurisdictions and remain up to speed on the latest develop- of its membership, as well as online. Th e Train- ing Fund will even set up remote locations for managers stay informed about new safety and training if the circumstances warrant it. For security developments and methodologies example, Sparer cites a large employer that de- voted an entire fl oor of one of their buildings with advancements in technology and new or to erect a mock-up of a boiler to serve as part revised safety parameters. “Managers should of their employee use and safety training on attend conferences and continuing education boiler operations. Full-length courses run for classes,” says Persanis. “I’ve given presentations 11 weeks and are off ered quarterly. Some of the for NYARM on work rules and I do several most popular in the New York metropolitan conferences each year on a wide range of em- area include Fire Safety for Residential Build- ings, CPR/AED, Air Pollution Control, and Electricity Basics. RAB and CHIP Th e Realty Advisory Board on Labor Re- lations (RAB) is a multiemployer association crisis management, and exercising good pro- serving the real estate industry in New York fessional judgment. Learning and implement- City, Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut, ing such techniques helps professionals set the and Northern New Jersey. RAB negotiates on tone for the way a building community handles behalf of property owners and operators in col- lective bargaining agreements with the unions fl ect their ability to generate positive outcomes. that represent their maintenance and operat- ing employees. Th ey also advise and represent NY) participates in industry-wide matters such members in matters involving personnel and as tax policy, city planning, broker licensing human resource administration. Usually RAB is involved in establishing mediation services. Th e Management Division safety committees for smaller unions via their Owner/Labor Coordinating committee nego- collective bargaining agreements. Th e asso- ciation will also advise unions and employers interests. Th ey also oversee legislation and reg- about new or updated safety regulations or ulations aff ecting new construction through practices and how they should be rolled out. the group’s Technical Subcommittee. REBNY Depending on the update, this information members benefi t from education, networking, might also come through a dedicated OSHA and advocacy that the organization provides, consultant, or through the managing agent/ employer themselves, who will advise on the tions. best training methods based on their staff structure and the nature of the topic—whether that be more meetings, formal training ses- sions, a pamphlet, or on-site instruction. For the aff ordable housing sector, the ployees do sometimes compromise their own Community Housing Improvement Program sible owners and managers of over 400,000 preservation of high-quality housing in New and updates. NYARM and REBNY Along with RAB, the New York Associa- education, information, legislative initiatives, Because building managers bear so much well as continuing education courses off er ments in these areas. NYARM ensures that within the industry, allowing them to keep up ployee issues.” In addition to training and education on re- quired safety procedures, NYARM off ers man- agers guidance and information on managing and mitigating risk, disaster preparedness and its safety and security, and their credentials re- Th e Real Estate Board of New York (REB- regulations, and fi re safety, and even provides tiates with unions concerning owner-building including important updates to safety regula- IRL Of course, even with all these organizations, regulations, and protections, in real life (IRL) accidents do still happen. Sparer says that em- continued on page 17