Newsfeed
RECENT CONTRACT WINS
William Vale
June 27: Housekeeping workers at the William Vale ratified their first Union contract: the IWA. For many months, hotel management waged an anti-union campaign at the William Vale, committing numerous unfair labor practices in violation of federal labor law, attempting to pack the unit to rig the vote, and retaliating against union supporters. Ultimately, workers had to vote for our Union not once, but in two separate government-run elections. The William Vale workers didn’t back down - voting by 83% to join HTC. Now, after months of contract negotiations, they will reap the benefits of a strong Union contract that brings huge wage increases, job security, free family healthcare, a pension, protections against retaliation, and many other life-changing rights.
"There were many challenges s along the way for us as we were trying to organize our hotel, but it was all worth it. Winning union representation, our new contract – it all seems like a dream. I am so happy that I am speechless. I thank God, the Union, and all my colleagues for not giving up and fighting hard." - CELIA VASQUEZ, William Vale
Sheraton Edison Raritan Center
July 3: Our members at the Sheraton Edison Raritan Center voted 100% YES to ratify their new contract, the 2023 GRIWA. Room Attendant Julie Denis shared at the ratification: “I’ve been here for 31 years and things keep getting better for us. For example, when I first started, I made $4 an hour, now new hires start at $18.99 an hour!”
Heldrich
July 30: Members at the Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey have ratified their new contract with a unanimous vote. Coffee Break Attendant Mery Alvarez shared her enthusiasm: “I’m a tipped employee, and my benefit pay rate went up by 60%! That’s a significant increase! With this boost, I plan to take more time off and enjoy life more.”
New York Athletic Club
July 19: Increased protections and remarkable wage increases, made it easy for the Local 6 members at one of the Union’s largest private clubs, the New York Athletic Club, to vote resoundingly in favor of their new contract. “I’ve been working here for 23 years. Everyone is excited about the new contract - it has much stronger protections for us. For example, management used to play games and change our day off to avoid paying holiday pay. Under the new contract they can no longer do that,” said Franklin Trinidad, a Utility Worker at NYAC.
Saratoga Hilton
March 20: Congratulations to our members at the Saratoga Hilton who unanimously ratified their GRIWA contract! Members celebrated with heartfelt hugs for Business Agent Nancy Hull, who got her start in Banquets at the hotel before joining the staff at the Union. “Just when I thought our contract is so great that there isn’t much left for improvement, something unexpected got added. The Pre-Paid Legal Fund is a great addition. I’m sure the fund will be beneficial to many of our Union members,” said Banquet Server Lorrie Hagadon, who has been working at Saratoga Hilton for 34 years.
Rivers Casino
July 25: Our Union negotiated an extension of the GRIWA contract at Rivers Casino for two additional years - through March of 2028. On July 25, 2024, workers at Rivers Casino voted to ratify their contract extension by 99%, locking in annual wage increases and extensive on-the-job protections.
"The pension is WOW! It’s the big thing for me. I know I’m young and it’s a long way from now. But when I’m seventy years old, I’m going to kick back and have a really great time. A pension is important to me, and our Union provides that." — SHLACKA LESCOTT, Rivers Casino
INDUSTRY NEWS
On July 18, 2024, Councilperson Julie Menin introduced the Safe Hotels Act at the New York City Council. The bill would require hotels in New York City to be licensed in order to operate. The Act would extend strong safety protections to all hotel workers across the City, including many common-sense protections that union members have under our contracts that non-union workers do not.
NY DAILY NEWS
New City Council bill would prohibit NYC hotels from operating without a license
Sabrina, a hotel housekeeper who asked only to be identified by her first name out of fear she could lose her current job, told The News that the staff job she worked for under a subcontractor in 2021 “was the worst experience of my life.”
The subcontractor, Green Magic Excellent Cleaning Corp., did not provide her with rags to clean the bathrooms at Homewood Suites by Hilton in Times Square and instead instructed her to use the guests’ dirty towels, sheets, pillowcases and used soap to do the cleaning, she said.
“They don’t use nothing to disinfect,”she said. “If the guests use the soap and there’s some left, you can use that. If they don’t use the soap, you’re not allowed to use that ... It was disgusting. I never want to work in a place like that again.”
In addition, she claimed Green Magic withheld pay she was due and refused to pay out overtime — despite their demands that she work longer hours.
“They said they don’t pay overtime,” she recalled.
POLITICO
Law enforcement officials join hotel union in backing licensing bill
Top law enforcement officials are joining a politically influential union in backing a controversial City Council bill to require hotels to obtain an operating license. The city’s five district attorneys, all Democrats, are urging the council to approve the measure, according to a letter shared with POLITICO. Attorney General Tish James is backing the legislation as well. The proposal, introduced by Council Member Julie Menin and pushed by the powerful Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, would restrict the use of subcontracted workers and require hotels to meet certain staffing, safety and cleanliness standards.
“We have seen first-hand through the cases that come before our offices how some hotels have become dens for dangerous crimes, including drug dealing and human trafficking, and sex trafficking,” district attorneys Alvin Bragg, Darcel Clark, Eric Gonzalez, Melinda Katz and Michael McMahon said in a letter to Speaker Adrienne Adams and council members. “This bill offers an opportunity to address persistent criminal activity at certain hotels.”
UNION EVENTS
March with HTC: 2024 Labor Day Parade
New York City
September 7, 2024
Join us at the Labor Day Parade
SIGN UP HERE.
2024 UNITE HERE Convention
New York Hilton
In June, we hosted hundreds of union leaders from across North America at the New York Hilton for the 2024 UNITE HERE convention.
There wasn’t a dull moment in the GrandBallroom - starting with opening remarks from HTC President Rich Maroko and our members at the New York Hilton.
The days that followed brought a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris, remarks from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, and our very own Annie Taveras, a Room Attendant at the Residence Inn Newark Airport. There was dancing, chanting, an action at Trump Tower, and the election of new leadership of UNITE HERE: Gwen Mills as President, Nia Winston as Secretary-Treasurer, and HTC President Rich Maroko as the international union’s Recording Secretary.
As we celebrated the life-changing victories at locals across the country over the last 5 years, we also took stock of the challenges ahead and the unity we’ll need to overcome them.
"When unions are strong, America is strong!" - Vice President Kamala Harris
