Rebecca Burns
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social
Investigative reporter and editor. 🏡,🏦,☀️, also🐈. she/ her.
@klbrenner.bsky.social says it’s unsurprising to see the real estate industry embracing employer tactics to quash tenant organizing.
There’s a “natural symbiosis” between labor and tenant organizing, she says — and between the powerful players reacting to it.
There’s a “natural symbiosis” between labor and tenant organizing, she says — and between the powerful players reacting to it.
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
@klbrenner.bsky.social says it’s unsurprising to see the real estate industry embracing employer tactics to quash tenant organizing.
There’s a “natural symbiosis” between labor and tenant organizing, she says — and between the powerful players reacting to it.
There’s a “natural symbiosis” between labor and tenant organizing, she says — and between the powerful players reacting to it.
In the background, Capital Realty has retained Reed Smith, a firm offering “robust union avoidance programs,” according to its website.
That suggests that while tenant unions are looking to labor--organizing multi-building unions, demanding collective bargaining--landlords are evolving, too.
That suggests that while tenant unions are looking to labor--organizing multi-building unions, demanding collective bargaining--landlords are evolving, too.
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
In the background, Capital Realty has retained Reed Smith, a firm offering “robust union avoidance programs,” according to its website.
That suggests that while tenant unions are looking to labor--organizing multi-building unions, demanding collective bargaining--landlords are evolving, too.
That suggests that while tenant unions are looking to labor--organizing multi-building unions, demanding collective bargaining--landlords are evolving, too.
On Monday, the tenant unions travelled to Capital Realty's HQ to demand a meeting w/ President Moshe Eichler.
They were met by counter-protesters draped in Israeli flags and holding signs reading, "Tenant unions against Jewish landlords," an apparent reference to Eichler's religion.
They were met by counter-protesters draped in Israeli flags and holding signs reading, "Tenant unions against Jewish landlords," an apparent reference to Eichler's religion.
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
On Monday, the tenant unions travelled to Capital Realty's HQ to demand a meeting w/ President Moshe Eichler.
They were met by counter-protesters draped in Israeli flags and holding signs reading, "Tenant unions against Jewish landlords," an apparent reference to Eichler's religion.
They were met by counter-protesters draped in Israeli flags and holding signs reading, "Tenant unions against Jewish landlords," an apparent reference to Eichler's religion.
Since August, tenants have unionized in nine Capital Realty buildings across six states. The new unions are demanding that Capital Realty meet with them as a group to bargain a new lease agreement, akin to the contracts workers negotiate with their employers.
They say the firm is stonewalling.
They say the firm is stonewalling.
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Since August, tenants have unionized in nine Capital Realty buildings across six states. The new unions are demanding that Capital Realty meet with them as a group to bargain a new lease agreement, akin to the contracts workers negotiate with their employers.
They say the firm is stonewalling.
They say the firm is stonewalling.
This is all happening as part of a push to unionize tenants of Capital Realty, a private equity landlord with ~22,000 apartment units nationwide, many affordable housing.
The Tenant Union Federation says residents live in poor conditions while the company collects millions in public subsidies.
The Tenant Union Federation says residents live in poor conditions while the company collects millions in public subsidies.
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
This is all happening as part of a push to unionize tenants of Capital Realty, a private equity landlord with ~22,000 apartment units nationwide, many affordable housing.
The Tenant Union Federation says residents live in poor conditions while the company collects millions in public subsidies.
The Tenant Union Federation says residents live in poor conditions while the company collects millions in public subsidies.
Tenants also say they've faced harassment -- at least three organizers working w/ them have been served no trespass notices.
More background on health and safety issues at Sunset Ridge in this investigation by @thomasbirm.bsky.social: inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
More background on health and safety issues at Sunset Ridge in this investigation by @thomasbirm.bsky.social: inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
As Corporate Landlords Spread, a Mold Epidemic Takes Root
Chronic mold has become an epidemic as severe as lead paint, but neither cities nor landlords are taking responsibility.
inthesetimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Tenants also say they've faced harassment -- at least three organizers working w/ them have been served no trespass notices.
More background on health and safety issues at Sunset Ridge in this investigation by @thomasbirm.bsky.social: inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
More background on health and safety issues at Sunset Ridge in this investigation by @thomasbirm.bsky.social: inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
At Sunset Ridge apartments, tenants announced last month they'd unionized w/ majority support.
But the announcement was interrupted -- by another group claiming to represent residents. At least one member of the second group is an employee of the landlord, Capital Realty.
But the announcement was interrupted -- by another group claiming to represent residents. At least one member of the second group is an employee of the landlord, Capital Realty.
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
At Sunset Ridge apartments, tenants announced last month they'd unionized w/ majority support.
But the announcement was interrupted -- by another group claiming to represent residents. At least one member of the second group is an employee of the landlord, Capital Realty.
But the announcement was interrupted -- by another group claiming to represent residents. At least one member of the second group is an employee of the landlord, Capital Realty.
At a rally yesterday outside the landlord's HQ, counter-protesters draped themselves in Israeli flags and held signs like, "Tenant union against Jewish landlords." Police on-scene said the counter-protesters were present at the invitation of the landlord, according to a recording shared w/ me.
December 9, 2025 at 9:59 PM
At a rally yesterday outside the landlord's HQ, counter-protesters draped themselves in Israeli flags and held signs like, "Tenant union against Jewish landlords." Police on-scene said the counter-protesters were present at the invitation of the landlord, according to a recording shared w/ me.