Wall Street Journal: Union Hotel Workers in New York Suburbs Score Biggest Pay Raise in 100 Years

Last week, our Union’s leadership announced a new Greater Regional Industry Wide Agreement (“GRIWA” for short) for nearly 7,000 members who work in Northern New Jersey, Westchester, Upstate New York, and Long Island.

The Wall Street Journal released an exclusive about the groundbreaking new contract on Monday, highlighting the historic wage increases and benefits.

Fre Bryant, a Front Desk Agent and Union Delegate at the DoubleTree by Hilton Newark Penn Station, was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal:

Fre Bryant, who earns $23.30 an hour working at the front desk of a DoubleTree by Hilton in northern New Jersey, said she had been planning to leave after 18 years with the hotel. She changed her mind after hearing the details of the new contract.

The agreement’s pay increases and added benefits for members, including subsidies for legal representation and child care, persuaded her to continue making the one-hour commute from her home in Bushkill, Pa.

‘I’m going to stick it out because this contract is so good,’ said Ms. Bryant.

The new GRIWA provides the largest wage increases in any renewal contract in our Union’s nearly 100-year history and the achievements aren’t limited to wages – the new GRIWA breaks new ground by addressing problems that our members face outside of work, including the skyrocketing cost of child care, lack of affordable housing, need for paid family leave, and access to free lawyers – all while protecting our members’ healthcare, pension, and other benefits in the contract.

“We are incredibly proud of reaching this new agreement and winning such unprecedented wage increases, particularly during these tough economic times,” commented HTC President Rich Maroko. “It’s a true testament to the strength of our Union.”

Read the Wall Street Journal article in full here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/union-hotel-workers-in-new-york-suburbs-score-biggest-pay-raise-in-100-years-5bc4191c