Richard Maroko Named New Jersey Labor Day Parade Grand Marshall

Hotel Trades Council Vice President and General Counsel Richard Maroko was honored as the Grand Marshall of the New Jersey Labor Day Parade held in Newark September 9. Maroko was recognized by a number of dignitaries for his leadership in the radical transformation of working conditions for hospitality workers in New Jersey. They included State Assemblyperson Thomas Giblin; Newark Mayor Raz Baraka; and New Jersey AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech. The occasion culminated with over one hundred HTC members marching alongside Maroko as he lead the parade from City Hall to Military Park.

"Having one of its officers named as Grand Marshall of the Labor Day celebration is the latest milestone in HTC’s unprecedented evolution in New Jersey," Hotel Trades Council President Peter Ward explained.

“What we have been able to do for hotel workers in New Jersey is nothing short of revolutionary.” Added Maroko, who is also Executive Vice President of Local 6. “When we assumed jurisdiction over Northern New Jersey five years ago our strategy was to replicate the successes we had already achieved in New York City, where we have the best hotel contract in the nation. To do that, we needed to accomplish three goals: win a master contract, increase union density, and establish a political power base.  And we have done all three.”

First, in 2013, the Union was able to negotiate the first ever regional master contract, the only non-metropolitan contract for hospitality workers. This unprecedented agreement provides for better wages and health and retirement benefits, as well as stronger job protections, than hotel workers in New Jersey have ever had previously.

Second, HTC has doubled the number of union hotels in New Jersey through an aggressive organizing campaign. Since assuming responsibility for 15 hotels in 2010, HTC has organized more than a dozen more. There are now nearly 30 union hotels in Northern New Jersey.  

“Union density, meaning the percentage of hotels we represent, is critical,” explained Maroko, “because it signifies the power we have over the industry to negotiate higher wages and better working conditions. Stated simply, increased density translates directly into increased wages.”

Third, the HTC has kicked off a sophisticated campaign to build its political power.  While the HTC has been building its political capacity in New Jersey for some time, the Labor Day Parade was the first opportunity for our New Jersey members to show their dedication to the union. One member commented, “My life changed when I became a member of HTC a few years ago. It was great to be able to come out and show our appreciation and support for our union!”