Starr Street union organizer says union is triggering action at neglected Bushwick building

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Tenants on Starr Street in Bushwick say they continue to battle hazardous living conditions and neglect from their landlord. Hunter Boone, a tenant who had been working to unionize the building’s residents, has successfully formed the Starr Street Union. However, problems in the building continue. Boone recently recovered from a parasite infection he says he contracted from rat feces in his apartment. An exterminator and city officials inspecting the building's roof are now scheduled to visit. Tenants believe a roof issue is responsible for ongoing water damage in the building. Boone showed News 12 what appeared to be a patchwork of what Boone says were holes on the roof. The landlord, however, is reportedly unhappy with the newly formed union. Tenants have installed security cameras in common areas and say footage shows someone removing union flyers posted around the building. Emails between tenants and the landlord reveal the latter accusing residents of denying access for repairs. Boone refuted the claim, saying tenants were only hesitant because they were given less than 24 hours notice for entry. “The landlord will most likely react negatively to a building organization," Boone said. "That means you should continue doing what you’re doing.” Since the initial report on the building, a total of 21 new city violations have been issued, bringing the total to 42 open violations. The landlord has not responded to multiple requests for comment "