A Westchester County building workers strike has been averted, thanks to last-minute negotiations between the union and building owners.

The tentative agreement means a 16 percent wage and benefit increase over the next four years for the workers. The union represents building doormen, porters, supers and handymen. Their contract deadline had been Tuesday night.

The building workers also have their health care and retirement benefits fully intact. They had originally threatened to strike, saying they needed raises to keep up with the rising cost of living.

Union members still need to ratify the contract, which is expected to happen next Wednesday.