Candidates for NYC Mayor, Public Advocate meet with members

May 6, 2013 9:40 AM

In a day that everyone who was present found to be interesting, the viable Democratic candidates for New York City Mayor and Public Advocate came to Gertrude Lane Auditorium on Monday, April 29 to share their views and answer questions from members.

There were no Republican candidates for these offices present for the forum because none of them has asked for the Union's endorsement. But the fact that all the viable Democratic candidates for these positions participated in the forum is evidence of the growing reputation of our Union as a powerful force in politics. Some of the candidates said as much when speaking with members that day.

The forum was opened by Peter Ward, who noted that when he first came to work at the Union 35 years ago there was hardly any political operation. He said this differed from the time of our Union's birth, in 1938, when leaders like Jay Rubin were able to garner strong political support. "If our early leaders hadn't taken advantage of that political support, our Union probably would not have gotten off the ground and wouldn't be here today," Ward said.

Ward explained that one goal of the forum was to help the Union get to know the candidates better and learn where they stand on various issues of great importance to members, including zoning, education, housing and transportation. He said there was no clear frontrunners in the races for Mayor and Public Advocate and he reminded everyone there was a lot of time remaining in the process. The Union's Political and Strategic Affairs Director, Josh Gold, also made a presentation prior to the candidates forum, explaining that there are many hotel rooms in the development or planning states and that the Union's density had a direct impact on its strength in negotiating good contracts. "If our density goes down our power weakens," he said, noting that there were far more non-union hotel sunder construction or in the planning stage than hotels that are committed to allowing their employees to join the Hotel Trades Council if they wish.

Ward again spoke to the members who were present, sharing with them the good news about the purchase of property for the new Brooklyn Health Center (see the related article above). He then introduced the first of the candidates for Mayor, New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Comptroller John Liu, and former Comptroller Bill Thompson followed de Blasio in that order, completing the roster of viable Democratic candidates who are asking the Union for its support in the drive to be the next Mayor of New York City, a position that is often described as "the second toughest job in America."

Following the Mayoral candidates, the three viable Democratic candidates for Public Advocate made presentations. Due to the fact that the legislature was still in session in Albany, State Senator Dan Squadron addressed the forum through an audio-visual system that enabled him to interact with members and answer their questions. New York City Council Member Letitia James and former Deputy Public Advocate Resma Saujani made their presentations in person.

Each of the candidates explained their positions on a host of issues, often trying to politely distinguish themselves from their competitors. They also answered questions from members. Among the members who asked questions were Yanela Tamayo, New Yorker Hotel, Tsultrim Sangmo, Time Hotel. Mick Wanamaker, Parker Meridien, Moustafa Ghoneim, Millenium Hilton, Sal Marciante, Westin Times Square, Judith Seemungal, Carlyle, Doren James, Iroquois Hotel, Rafalena Moreno, Intercontinental Times Square, Aissata Bocoum, New Yorker Hotel, Charles Montalbano, Grand Hyatt, Desiree Frazier, Courtyard FIfth Avenue, Juana Velez, Westin Grand Central, and Serge Jeudy, Grand Hyatt.

The questions from members covered a variety of topics, with education, zoning, housing, tourism, union rights, corporate tax breaks, responsible development and policing being some of the major ones.

Ward asked candidates questions about recent specific issues involving unions in New York City, particularly the Con Edison lockout last fall and a regulation that would allow crane operators with a license from any state to work here in New York. The issue involving the crane operators is a hotbed of contention because licensing requirements in other states are far less stringent than here in New York.

Even though the candidates met with members separately, with presentations scheduled an hour apart throughout the day, many of the answers to their questions were similar in a general sense. Everyone wants better education and more affordable housing, as examples. But there were subtle and not so subtle differences in their specific responses.

Many members took notes. Many shared comments with each other in the small breaks between candidates' appearances and especially during an hour lull for lunch, and then again after all seven presentations for completed. Members were given survey sheets so they could rate the candidates and add their own comments.

Ward concluded the candidates forum by reminding members that there still is much time remaining in the process.

"In many ways, these contestants haven't even begun yet," he said. "This isn't going to be a spring, it is going to be a marathon, and this is just the beginning."

Members who spoke with Hotel Voiceagreed that it was early in the race for Mayor and Public Advocate and that in some cases it remained difficult to choose between the candidates. But all agreed that the forum presented members with a solid opportunity to get to know the candidates better and to learn their answers to questions that are important to hotel workers and the Union specifically, and to working families in general.

The forum was also a good opportunity for the candidates to get to know our members. Ward had begun the day by noting that when he first came to work at the Union there was hardly any political operation. Now, all the viable Democratic candidates for Mayor and Public Advocate had shuffled their busy schedules to be able to meet members personally, answer their questions and ask for their support.

The Union is still a long way from making any decisions on either contest, Ward told the Hotel Trades Council Executive Board on May 1, but no one could deny that the candidates forum provided some important answers to some important questions.