Just one more from the fashion-forward new issue of DUMBO Paneling
Protesters Picket Jay Condo
Late October and Early November saw small groups of protesters picketing the entrance to the newly-populated Jay Condo building on Jay and Front Street. Apparently, workers at the large condo complex are not affiliated with any unions like many of their peers in other condo management operations, thus not afforded the same rights and wages as other neighborhood workers.
Protesters were supported by the giant, inflatable rat that accompanies many protests (including the recent writer’s protests uptown) while banging on buckets and passing out fliers to curious post-workers and locals. The protesters were definitely in an uncertain state of mind and took photos of the Paneling photographer who struggled to get a good picture in the twilight hour.
While Paneling sympathizes with the protesters and believes that the slow death of unions in the name of global competition is a bad deal, but possibly an unavoidable one at this time in world history, it also feels bad for the new tenants/owners who just moved into the building and the middle of another problem created by a local developer. In the interest of full-disclosure, the Paneling offices are part of a lawsuit with a famous local developer often associated with several fires at his companies’ various developments around Brooklyn. But the point is that many unscrupulous types set these buildings up in whatever fashion suits them, then, once the units are sold, the new owners shoulder the burden of shoddy business practices, poor design and workmanship and whatever other garbage is left undisclosed. Meanwhile, the developers, as people, are shielded from litigation by their LLCs (limited liability companies) which are designed to do just that—shield liability—while the new owners struggle to understand and figure out what to do with the wreckage. Most of the new people moving into the neighborhood are professionals, many with young families and their focus is on their work and these said families. Big budget developers who take advantage of these types know which legal loopholes to exploit and, if that doesn’t get them by, they can simply ignore the law as long as possible leaving the new owners hanging in limbo for, possibly, several years, after which, a resolution may or may not be forthcoming and, if in the tenants favor, they may have another fight to collect for the damages.
I suppose when it comes to underpaid staff, everyone is happy if it’s not in their face. It saves money on monthly maintenance expenses, after all. But, these protesters bring a legitimate grievance into view and, sadly, it’s up to the new owners to look at the issues and figure out how best to move forward now. You’ve inherited the problem. Welcome to the fastest growing neighborhood in New York. Oh yeah, some paper also rated it the “Best Neighborhood in New York.” I guess we have a couple nice parks.
Late October and Early November saw small groups of protesters picketing the entrance to the newly-populated Jay Condo building on Jay and Front Street. Apparently, workers at the large condo complex are not affiliated with any unions like many of their peers in other condo management operations, thus not afforded the same rights and wages as other neighborhood workers.
Protesters were supported by the giant, inflatable rat that accompanies many protests (including the recent writer’s protests uptown) while banging on buckets and passing out fliers to curious post-workers and locals. The protesters were definitely in an uncertain state of mind and took photos of the Paneling photographer who struggled to get a good picture in the twilight hour.
While Paneling sympathizes with the protesters and believes that the slow death of unions in the name of global competition is a bad deal, but possibly an unavoidable one at this time in world history, it also feels bad for the new tenants/owners who just moved into the building and the middle of another problem created by a local developer. In the interest of full-disclosure, the Paneling offices are part of a lawsuit with a famous local developer often associated with several fires at his companies’ various developments around Brooklyn. But the point is that many unscrupulous types set these buildings up in whatever fashion suits them, then, once the units are sold, the new owners shoulder the burden of shoddy business practices, poor design and workmanship and whatever other garbage is left undisclosed. Meanwhile, the developers, as people, are shielded from litigation by their LLCs (limited liability companies) which are designed to do just that—shield liability—while the new owners struggle to understand and figure out what to do with the wreckage. Most of the new people moving into the neighborhood are professionals, many with young families and their focus is on their work and these said families. Big budget developers who take advantage of these types know which legal loopholes to exploit and, if that doesn’t get them by, they can simply ignore the law as long as possible leaving the new owners hanging in limbo for, possibly, several years, after which, a resolution may or may not be forthcoming and, if in the tenants favor, they may have another fight to collect for the damages.
I suppose when it comes to underpaid staff, everyone is happy if it’s not in their face. It saves money on monthly maintenance expenses, after all. But, these protesters bring a legitimate grievance into view and, sadly, it’s up to the new owners to look at the issues and figure out how best to move forward now. You’ve inherited the problem. Welcome to the fastest growing neighborhood in New York. Oh yeah, some paper also rated it the “Best Neighborhood in New York.” I guess we have a couple nice parks.
posted by Leo Kelbs at 8:42 PM
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