Union Wins Three More Months of Healthcare and Structured Severance Pay for Workers from IWA and Division A Shops in Landmark Arbitration

The arbitrator’s decision requires IWA and Division A employers to pay for an additional three-month extension of healthcare coverage for employees who are still on layoff as a result of the pandemic. Those workers are now guaranteed healthcare through the end of 2020. Most employees from those same IWA and Division A shops (who would be entitled to severance pay in the event the shop permanently closed) will soon be entitled to extra pay each week to supplement their unemployment benefits as a structured payout of severance. Read more…

Can I receive payment for my paid time off to extend my healthcare?

Before this pandemic, under the long-standing rules of the Industry-Wide Benefit Plan, covered employees were eligible for healthcare if they worked enough hours (functions in the case of banquet servers) or as part of a severance package. Laid off workers generally were not eligible and payment of accrued time off did not extend their eligibility.

However, to meet this emergency, on August 25th, HTC President Rich Maroko convened a special meeting of the trustees of the Funds and convinced the trustees to amend the plan so that payment of paid time off would extend healthcare coverage. The trustees also approved a temporary plan that allows the workers we represent to maintain partial healthcare coverage. Read more...

Find Alternative Healthcare

During this catastrophe, the federal government utterly failed the people they are supposed to serve and the toll has been more horrific even than most American wars.

Our Union, however, has moved mountains to win extraordinary protections and special benefits to assist the workers we represent to get through this emergency. The most important example has been the Union’s success in persuading and compelling a devastated industry to continue to fund healthcare coverage for most of the 40,000 workers we represent (most of whom are laid off) over a period of many additional months.

We have compiled this guide about the many alternative healthcare options that will be available to you should you lose coverage in the upcoming months. Read more...

Update: In-Person Learning Delayed for Most NYC Public School Students

On September 17, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that most New York City public schools would delay the start of in-person learning. In-person learning was set to begin on September 21st for all students who are enrolled in blended learning programs. Now, in-person learning will be phased in depending on your child’s grade level and what school they attend. Read more...

Union Negotiates Casino Re-Opening Agreement

On September 3rd, 2020, New York Governor Cuomo announced that casinos in the state will be allowed to reopen at 25% capacity beginning Wednesday, September 9th.

In the weeks leading up, HTC President Rich Maroko and the Union’s staff have been in negotiations with the casinos to make sure that those workers who are recalled have adequate safety protections and equipment. We are pleased to announce that we have reached agreements with Resorts World NYC, Resorts World Catskills, Rivers Casino, Empire City Casino, and del Lago Resort & Casino. These casinos have agreed to sign the Union’s Coronavirus Safety Protocols negotiated with the Hotel Association of New York City in March and June of this year, and to a number of casino-specific safety provisions. Read more...

Benefit Funds trustees expand access to pre-paid legal for thousands of workers

On August 25, 2020, HTC President Rich Maroko convened a special meeting of the trustees of the Benefit Funds. President Maroko proposed a temporary change to the Funds that will expand access to pre-paid legal for thousands of workers covered by the IWA and Division A contracts who have been laid off due to the Coronavirus crisis. Read more...

Our Union's Coronavirus Safety Protocol Agreement

On August 14, 2020, our Union reached an agreement with the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc. that extends the “Coronavirus Hotel Safety Protocol” through January 1, 2021 and continues until the earlier of either the end of the current, declared state of emergency or declared public health emergency, or an FDA approved vaccine becomes available at the health centers. To read a summary of the significant pieces of the safety agreement, click here.

BREAKING NEWS: HTC President Rich Maroko announces two major victories regarding healthcare and severance pay for employees at IWA and Division A hotels

Watch the video here.

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Crisis: Questions and Answers

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COVID-19

Information about the Coronavirus, testing and possible exposure at work.

New York Unemployment Tips

For workers who are employed in New York State (even if they reside out-of-state).

New Jersey Unemployment Tips

For workers who are employed in New Jersey (even if they reside out-of-state).

Key Contractual Protections During COVID-19

Summary of relevant job security provisions in our master contracts.

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Rules about the waiving of union dues obligations while members are laid off.

Hiring Enforcement Office

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Healthcare

Information about extended healthcare coverage and how to schedule virtual doctor and counseling appointments during this crisis.

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Information on how layoffs and the Coronavirus crisis affect your pension and 401(k).

Crisis: Assistance Programs

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Food assistance programs open for those in need of help during this crisis

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Crisis: Keeping Your Spirits Up

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The New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, AFL-CIO, is the union of hotel workers in the New York City metropolitan area, the Capital Region of New York State, and New Jersey, representing nearly 40,000 non-managerial employees.
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