On the Ballot: The Survival of the American Labor Movement

October 27, 2020 3:05 PM

Many Americans understand that a vote for the President is, in effect, a vote on the future of the U.S. Supreme Court, whose rulings will affect our civil liberties and rights for years to come. But Supreme Court Justices are not the only presidential appointees that have significant power over the lives of the American people. A group of lesser known presidential appointees that are effectively “on the ballot” each election are those to the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”). These appointees are responsible for protecting the rights of American workers to organize, join a union, and collectively bargain over their wages, benefits, and working conditions. Read more...

Our Union endorses Joe Biden

By HTC President Rich Maroko

For 80 years, our members have spoken out again and again against abuses of power, discrimination, and disrespect. Thousands of you have stood beside a coworker who has been treated unfairly by a manager, walked a picket line to fight for someone who wants to provide a better life for their family, and packed city hall to advocate for laws that will protect our communities.

Well, this election is another moment when we must band together and act for the greater good.

New York: Early Voting is Happening All Week

October 26, 2020 3:46 PM

New York voters can cast their ballot in this year’s general election every day through Sunday, November 1^st. To locate your early voting poll site and find the early voting schedule in your county, read more.

Get out the vote for Biden-Harris

Volunteer with your Union to call union members in critical swing states and get out the vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday leading up to the election on November 3rd, we are phone banking. Click here to sign up.

Scab Rebecca Friedrichs Featured Speaker at Republican Convention

In the first ten minutes on the first night of its 2020 National Convention, the Republican Party featured a notorious anti-union former teacher, Rebecca Friedrichs, to deliver a vitriolic attack against labor unions. Friedrichs was the plaintiff in the 2016 Supreme Court case Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, which aimed to defund and weaken public sector labor unions across the country.

At on time or another, as union members, many of us have run into a treacherous co-worker who is eager to lick the boots of their boss. There’s a term for such a character – scab. That’s Ms. Friedrichs in a nutshell.

The Republican Party’s choice of Ms. Friedrichs as the second speaker in its convention is a disturbing signal that the GOP is now even more hostile to the rights of workers than it has ever been. Read more...

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…

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...

NYC City Council Passes and Mayor de Blasio Signs Law Protecting Hotel Workers and Guests

Last Wednesday, by a vote of 45 to 4, the NYC City Council passed, and on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed, a new law which will provide vital security for New York City hotel workers, and which will also greatly enhance consumer protections for people traveling to our city.

HTC President Rich Maroko commented, “40,000 HTC members and their families applaud and thank the mayor, the speaker, and all our friends in the City Council for acting decisively to enact critical measures to prevent a small, unscrupulous segment of the hotel owners in this city from exploiting the COVID-19 disaster to profiteer. We are fortunate to have elected officials in this city and state who have acted courageously and responsibly in these terrible times.” 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.

Dues

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

Hiring Enforcement Office

Current outlook for getting a job in the industry.

Healthcare

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

Retirement Benefits

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

Crisis: Assistance Programs

Food Assistance (for all ages)

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

Food Assistance (for seniors)

Food assistance programs and delivery services specifically for senior citizens

Eviction and Foreclosure Relief

Information about eviction and foreclosure relief in New York and New Jersey

Mental Health and Emotional Wellness

Services available for individuals struggling with their mental health and wellbeing

Domestic Violence Resources

Resources for domestic violence survivors

Resources for Pet Owners

Resources to care for pets during a medical emergency

Crisis: Keeping Your Spirits Up

Staying Active Indoors

Online fitness classes to keep you healthy and active at home.

Resources for Parents

Educational tools and online activities to keep your children busy and happy

Art & Culture Online

Online tours of museums and other cultural institutions available during the crisis

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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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