Tributes

During this difficult time when we can not come together and grieve in person and provide each other comfort, we wanted to take the space to remember and celebrate the lives of Union members who have passed. 

Some Union Hotels Apply for PPP Loans

May 7, 2020 2:02 PM

A few Union hotels have applied for Paycheck Protection Program loans (“PPP loans”). These loans are an incentive for businesses to keep their employees on the payroll during the Coronavirus crisis.

If your hotel receives a PPP loan and begins to pay you, the New York State Department of Labor has instructed that you should simply stop certifying for unemployment benefits for the weeks that you receive paychecks. For more tips when applying for unemployment in New York, click here.

HTC President Peter Ward Appointed to Advisory Board on Re-Opening New York

May 1, 2020 3:45 PM

HTC President Peter Ward has been selected by Governor Cuomo to be on the New York Forward Re-Opening Advisory Board. The board is made up of 100 academic, business, community and labor leaders from across the state, who will help guide the gradual re-opening of New York state in a way that balances public health and safety and the desire to return to a new normal.

New Weekend Pharmacy Hours

April 30, 2020 6:00 PM

The Health Centers have changed the hours of the pharmacies until further notice to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Read more...

New options for accessing money in your retirement account

April 8, 2020 9:00 PM

Many working people are struggling to make ends meet during the Coronavirus crisis and may need to access their retirement savings to get by.  

On March 27th, 2020, the Federal government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or “CARES Act”. The CARES Act includes new options for individuals to withdraw money from their retirement account during the crisis. 

Telephone Visits Available for Workers Covered by Industry-Wide Benefit Plan

April 3, 2020 2:51 PM

As you know, the Industry-Wide Benefit Plan canceled all non-emergent doctor appointments at the Health Centers. This safety measure was taken in order to limit healthy patients’ exposure to the novel coronavirus, and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

We are happy to announce that the Benefit Plan has set up the technology and infrastructure to schedule non-urgent primary care medical appointments as telephone visits. For any HTC represented workers, covered by the Industry-Wide Benefit plan—and your dependents— you can now schedule a telephone visit for any internal medicine, family practice, and pediatric providers. 

Counseling Services and MHAP Available Over the Phone

April 3, 2020 2:44 PM

Understandably, many people are feeling heightened anxiety and stress during this crisis. In an effort to meet the needs of those covered by the Industry-Wide Benefit Plan during this time, the Members Health Assistance Program (MHAP) is offering counseling services over the phone for existing patients as well as setting up new patients over the phone. All counseling sessions are totally confidential. To be connected with a counselor please call MHAP Monday thru Friday 9:00 AM– 5:00 PM at (212) 237-3037 or (888) 615-6427. 

Resources for people who work or live in New Jersey

April 3, 2020 1:35 PM

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.

HTC Pres. Peter Ward Discusses Coronavirus with NY1 News

March 20, 2020 10:00 AM

Union President Peter Ward speaks with Errol Louis of NY1 news about the crushing effect of the Coronavirus pandemic on the hotel industry and HTC’s ongoing efforts to minimize the impact on our members. To watch the interview, click here.

During the emergency, members will access most union office services by phone

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 8th Avenue. 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.

Our Union Health Centers are doing Coronavirus testing

March 13, 2020 1:30 PM

As of Friday, March 13, 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.