Members vote by 99.3% to ratify Division A contract

On June 27th, 2013 the Division A contract was ratified by 289 members, by an overwhelming 99.3%

The contract gives workers like Urszula Youssef from the San Carlos Hotel in midtown Manhattan a 29% wage increase over the course of the next seven years. Ms. Youssef said “Before the union I earned a paycheck of $300 a week, now that I work at a union hotel I make good money with guaranteed increases and fully funded medical for the next seven years.” Additionally, she was thrilled that the contract now guarantees two personal days that will give her “more time to spend with family.”

General Counsel and Executive Vice President Rich Maroko, chief negotiator of the contract, was present to help count ballots. Members were able to ask Mr. Maroko about contract items such as better protection for immigrants and protection against abusive guests.

After the contract was ratified, Mr. Maroko said “I’m really proud to have been a part of this contract. Not only does it provide for great wages, stronger scheduling rights, and better job security, it is also one of the best hotel worker contracts in the country. It requires management to pay for items like pre-paid legal and the industry training fund. Most importantly we were able to protect health benefits and increase the pension benefits in a time when most other unions are increasingly forced to make concessions on these issues.”

With this ratification, additional hotels that signed “me-too” agreements are also covered by this contract. The contract will go into effect July 1, 2013 and will continue until June 30, 2020.