Hotel Workers Win!

November 5, 2024 7:22 AM

Congratulations NYC Hotel Workers!

The passage and signing into law of the Safe Hotels Act on November 4, 2024, is a huge victory for hotel workers, union and non-union alike, across every corner of the city. Offering unprecedented protections for workers and the guests you serve, this law will set a new standard to improve the workplace environment and traveler experience.

Here are just some of the requirements in the Safe Hotels Act:

  • Hotels must be licensed in order to operate. This gives the city enforcement power to ensure hotels are being operated responsibly and fairly.
  • Hotels must provide panic buttons to workers who enter guest rooms, which can be pressed to summon help in case of assault or other emergencies.
  • Hotels must directly employ their workers in housekeeping and front desk operations. This prevents the use of subcontracting, which often results in wage theft and other worker mistreatment.
  • Hotel workers who speak out about unsafe conditions or violations of the law are protected against retaliation or punishment by their bosses.

If you’re a non-union hotel worker, here are some important things to note:

  • If you’re a subcontracted worker, your job is protected under NYC law. In fact, when the agency’s current contract expires, you must be offered your job directly by the hotel at the same or higher pay rate.
  • It’s better in the union. Union housekeepers make, on average, over two times what non-union housekeepers make, have free family healthcare, and a pension plan. They are able to negotiate for fair workloads, receive 5-days notice of their schedules, and demand respect on the job.
  • It’s your right to join the union. You and your coworkers have the legal rights and the POWER to win what unionized workers have. If you want more information about how to become a union member, contact us at 646-647-6660 or [email protected]. It’s confidential.

As the union for NYC hotel workers, we are extremely proud of this important victory, and we look forward to these protections being implemented. Our union offers its sincere gratitude to all allied organizations and individuals who offered their solidarity, our elected officials who supported us, and our members who spent countless volunteer hours fighting for the Safe Hotels Act.

Sincerely,

Rich Maroko

President

Hotel & Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO