The Mount Sinai hospital system has asked HTC to inform our members that they urgently need additional temporary housekeeping, kitchen and maintenance staff because of this emergency.
This work will certainly be hazardous, given the large number of Coronavirus cases flooding hospitals in our area, and the extreme shortages of personal protective equipment for hospital staff. Our union agreed to post this notice because we know there may be some members who, understanding the clear risks, will want to provide this help. If you want more information about applying, click here.
The Union won an important victory in arbitration yesterday, guaranteeing workers continued health care if they are laid off as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. Read more...
The Union is negotiating, company by company, a special emergency agreement with the hotel industry to address pressing concerns to our members caused by the Coronavirus Crisis. We are calling the agreement the “Coronavirus Hotel Safety Protocol,” and most of the major hotel operators have already signed on to it (see below for a current list). We are in urgent and energetic discussions with those companies who, as of yet, have not signed. Read more...
March 27, 2020 5:30 PM
The $2 trillion dollar stimulus was approved by the House unchanged and was signed into law by the President.
The law will send a $1,200 check to people earning up to $75,000 ($2,400 for joint filers earning up to than $150,000 combined) and an additional $500 per child. People earning between $75,000 and $99,000 would receive prorated checks. Our understanding is that people who can receive direct deposits will get these checks much faster. We will look into details to see how more of you can try to get direct deposits. Read More...
Additional questions answered about direct payments and unemployment benefits. Read more...
March 18 2020 7:30 AM - Due to the health threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the medical director of the Benefit Funds has advised the Union to reorganize our office operations so that members will be able to deal with all the departments of the Union without coming to our headquarters on 44th Street. The Union clerical, dues, technical, and other office staff will be doing their work via online links from their homes. So, members should not come to the office except with an appointment. Read more...
Hotel workers are at risk to becoming potent vectors for the coronavirus given their work in hotels and proximity to tourists from around the world — a fact not lost on Hotel Trades Council president Peter Ward.“Hotel workers face a unique risk of exposure and further spread of the coronavirus,” he said. "We want our members and visitors to the city to feel safe and be safe and that starts with testing.” Read more...
March 13, 2020 1:30 PM - As of this morning, all four of our Union Health Centers in New York City began Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing of HTC-represented workers covered by our Industry-Wide Health Benefit Plan and their eligible dependents, at no cost to participants and their dependents. However, the supply of test kits our health centers have is very limited at this stage due to the nation-wide shortage. Read more...
March 9, 2020 12:37 PM
Coronavirus Testing at NYC Health Centers Expected this Week
I have been informed by the Administrator of the Industry-Wide Health Benefit Fund that our Union Health Centers in New York City are expected to have the ability to do testing for the Coronavirus by the end of this week. Read more…
The NJ AFL-CIO has also put together resources for working people who work or live in New Jersey. Check out their COVID-19 Toolbox here.
Information about the Coronavirus, testing and possible exposure at work.
Summary of relevant job security provisions in our master contracts
For workers who are employed in New York State (even if they reside out-of-state).
For workers who are employed in New Jersey (even if they reside out-of-state).
