Bronx Realty Advisory Board: full-service organization.

The Bronx Realty Advisory Board is a full service organization, in existence since the 1950's, and representing over a thousand owners of 2,000 buildings, which house some 150,000 residents.

Because the great majority of buildings represented employ members of the Service Employees International Union, Local 32E, AFL-CIO, BRAB plays a vital role representing its members in all labor matters - negotiating a master Collective Bargaining Agreement with Local 32E, representing members in individual disputes between labor and management at grievance hearings and at arbitrations. Both I, and our executive director, Carol Keenan, are attorneys and direct BRAB's labor work, when necessary with the help of outside counsel.

In addition, informative seminars are given covering all aspects of building operation including rent regulations. Speakers at these meetings comprise the most knowledgeable officials from regulatory agencies and the legislature. Also, periodic newsletters are forwarded to members outlining change daily to deal with member's individual problems in operating their buildings.

Directors of BRAB's board own and manage a multitude of properties in the Bronx. Together with the president and executive director, they serve the industry by participating with other industry organizations in bringing, defending and funding necessary lawsuits challenging various aspects of the control system, the Housing Court, and "taking" issues. (Klein and Keenan are counsel to the Pacific Legal Foundation which has filed Amicus Briefs with the Court of Appeals in the Seawall Case, the Ziman Case, and most recently in a case dealing with succession rights.) I am chairman of the Rent Stabilization Association's Legal Committee and a member of RSA's Board of Directors, as are many of BRAB's Board members.

Most recently, we have concentrated on water-metering, recycling issues, the Housing Court Lawsuit brought by RSA, and removal of graffiti in the Bronx.

BRAB took a leadership position in the creation of the Building Maintenance Institute (BMI) located on 148th Street in the Bronx. BMI is a Training School for superintendents and handymen, offering a 300 hour course which includes plant maintenance, plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and tiling, etc., and equips workers to take examinations required for various City certificates. The Training School, a product of joint labor/management cooperation and foresight, is funded under the collective bargaining agreement with Local 32E.

BRAB has compiled a positive record of achievement for its members and the industry. If you would like more information, please call [phone].