Latest Updates on the Coronavirus Situation
Upcoming drive-thru food pantry in Albany
June 8, 2020 9:57 AM
For members in the Capital Area, the Capital District American Labor Federation and the Regional Food Bank of NY are partnering to host a drive-thru Food Pantry on Friday June 12, from 10am-12pm. It will take place at the Albany Labor Temple, at 890 Third Street in Albany. Working people have been hit hard by the Coronavirus and members in need are encouraged to stop by for assistance.
Free COVID-19 testing available for all NYC residents
June 5, 2020 12:21 PM
The New York City Department of Health has made free COVID-19 testing available for all New York City Residents, whether or not they have symptoms. Testing is available regardless of immigration status or insurance coverage. Read more...
NYS offers free antibody testing for food delivery and restaurant workers
Updated on June 4, 2020 4:30 PM
The New York State Department of Health has extended free COVID-19 antibody testing for food delivery and restaurant workers through Saturday, June 6.
If you work in New York State and in food and beverage, and would like to be tested, the following testing sites are open from 10:00am-5:30pm daily until Saturday, June 6 (with the exception of John Jay College, Lehman College, and New York Institute of Technology testing sites, which will close at 5 PM). No appointment is needed and it is expected that the test will take about 15 minutes. Face masks are required. Read more...
Remembering Ernie Peters, 1935-2020
May 29, 2020 2:00 PM
The union was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ernie Peters, a longtime HTC Regional Director and a Local 6 Business Agent and Vice President. Peters passed away on May 26. He was 85 years old and had been a member of our union for 68 years.
Throughout his long tenure at our union Peters was a strong representative of our members and a fierce enforcer of the contract. He was well respected by members and management alike. Read more...
Build political power during COVID-19: request an absentee ballot
May 28, 2020 4:15 PM
On April 24, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.23, which requires the NY State Board of Elections to send postage-paid absentee ballot applications to all registered voters for the June 23 primary election. Poll sites will remain open for the primary, but absentee ballots offer the safest and easiest way to vote during the pandemic.
The Board of Elections planned to mail applications out in the middle of May. If you have not received your absentee ballot application or would like to proactively request your ballot, you can do so easily. Read more...
Union 401(k) enrollment postponed
May 26, 2020 2:26 PM
Due to the ongoing restrictions in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we regret to announce that the Benefit Funds has had to postpone the upcoming 401(k) Open Enrollment, originally scheduled to take place from May 26th through June 12th, until later this year. We will alert the membership as soon as new dates have been determined.
Upcoming mask distribution sites on West Side
May 22, 2020 12:59 PM
As the weather gets warmer, many of us want to go outside for fresh air and sunshine. To make sure that New Yorkers have adequate face coverings for situations where social distancing cannot be maintained, the office of New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson has set up mask distribution tables along Manhattan’s west side. Read more...
The Guardian: Strikes erupt as US essential workers demand protection amid pandemic
May 22, 2020 12:30 PM
The coronavirus crisis has exacerbated abuses in non-union workplaces which were widespread even before the pandemic: low-pay, dangerous and unhealthy working conditions, no paid sick leave, and unaffordable or inadequate healthcare. In a courageous and difficult push, essential workers across the country have walked off the job on strike, refusing to tolerate the corporate indifference and in many cases, outright contempt for worker’s wellbeing. Read more...
Anti-Asian hate crimes surge amid COVID-19 pandemic
May 22, 2020 10:05 AM
The international medical community has established guidelines to specifically avoid labelling illnesses after locations because doing so has proven to promote another plague – violent hate around the globe. In keeping with that intelligent policy, in February, the World Health Organization (WHO) named the strain of coronavirus which is causing this pandemic “COVID-19.”
However, despite that fact, right-wing politicians and media figures are inciting their followers to blame this disaster on anti-Chinese conspiracy theories by frequently referring to COVID-19 as “the Chinese virus,” or the “Wuhan virus.”
The shamelessly race-baiting rhetoric and ignorance has been responsible for an exponential rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in the last 3 months, including cyber-bullying, verbal abuse, and physical assaults such as being spit on, coughed on, and much worse.
Feed the front lines: sLICe Astoria and DJ Camilo donate pizza to Queens Health Center staff
May 21, 2020 6:34 PM
Employees at the Queens Health Center were surprised on May 7 by a big delivery. 25 pizzas rolled through the doors, courtesy of Queens native and radio host on Hot 97, DJ Camilo and Danny from sLICe Astoria. DJ Camilo and Danny dropped by the Health Center to share their appreciation for healthcare workers during the pandemic, and donated the pizzas as part of the #feedthefrontlines campaign.
NY Times honors HTC member Kamal Ahmed
May 20, 2020 6:15 PM
We are very sad to acknowledge the passing of HTC member Kamal Ahmed. As the longtime leader of the Bangladesh Society of NY, Kamal will be remembered for creating "a sense of belonging" for fellow Bangladeshi immigrants. Kamal was a proud union member of 40 years, having worked first as a busboy and later a banquet worker at the Millennium Hilton One UN Plaza.
Kamal’s obituary is part of a New York Times series titled “Those We’ve Lost,” which aims to put names and faces to the growing numbers of those passing away during the current pandemic. Click here to read the full article on the New York Times website.
Sadly, Kamal is one of a number of members who have lost their lives during this difficult time. To read tributes remembering and celebrating the lives of our fellow Union members, click here.
Build political power during COVID-19: register to vote
May 20, 2020 4:38 PM
At a time when we can’t hit the streets to support candidates who support working people, the most fundamental thing we can do to build our Union’s political power is vote.
New York State’s primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23 and New Jersey follows shortly afterwards on Tuesday, July 7. To read more about how to register to vote, upcoming deadlines, and how to request an absentee ballot, click here.
UNITE HERE HEALTH Plan 105 announces increases to life insurance, AD&D Benefits
May 19, 2020 1:07 PM
UNITE HERE HEALTH Plan 105 has increased life insurance benefits and accidental death and dismemberment benefits to provide more protection for participants. The plan’s life insurance benefit has increased from $10,000 (for Class I) and $6,000 (for Class II) to $20,000 for every participant. The plan’s accidental death and dismemberment benefit has increased from $5,000 (Class I) and $3,000 (Class II) to $20,000 for every participant.
Urgent need for blood donors in NY
May 18, 2020 2:12 PM
The blood supply in New York is dangerously low. The New York Blood Center is asking for healthy New Yorkers to consider giving blood. Donating blood can help save lives and is always important, but during a pandemic is more important than ever.
Relief fund for essential workers impacted by COVID introduced in Congress
May 15, 2020 5:12 PM
NY Congressional Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D), Jerry Nadler (D), Peter King (R), and Illinois Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (D) have introduced the Pandemic Heroes Compensation Act in Congress. If passed and signed into law, certain essential workers and their families - including hotel workers - who have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and become ill or died, could be eligible for relief and assistance including compensation for medical expenses, burial costs, loss of employment and other hardships.
Union wins contract extension for Americana Inn, Avalon, Shoreham, and Life Hotel
May 14, 2020 5:12 PM
The New York City hotel industry has been hit extremely hard by the coronavirus crisis. At a time when hotels would normally be at 90% occupancy, New York City hotels are reporting just over 40%. Despite the lack of revenue and uncertain timeline for re-opening tourism in the City, on May 12, 2020, Union leadership won an extension to the Division A Contract for over 120 employees at the Americana Inn, Avalon, Shoreham, and the Life Hotel.
The Union difference: the tale of 3 unemployed New Yorkers
May 13, 2020 9:42 AM
THE CITY tells the struggle of three unemployed New Yorkers during the coronavirus crisis. One, an independent contractor who sings at a private club in Soho. Another, a restaurant manager who is undocumented and unable to collect unemployment. And the third, HTC member Elaine Wong, a Room Attendant at the Beekman Hotel for 4 years. Elaine and her husband were both infected with COVID-19, but thankfully recovered after being treated at the Queens Health Center.
Elaine expressed gratitude for the support she received while she was sick, “I’m very thankful for my Union job, the doctors and the nurses at the Union Health Center in Long Island City, because the nurse called me every day without fail for two weeks to check on our condition.”
To read the full article, visit THE CITY's Website.
Peter Ward and HTC Administration are re-elected
May 11, 2020 4:35 PM
Peter Ward and the entire HTC administration have been re-elected to office by acclamation. The administration will serve a three-year term of office.
"It is certainly evident that our union faces unprecedented challenges right now," Peter Ward said. "I am confident that our administration has the best people possible to help steer our union through this exceedingly difficult time, and I thank HTC members for this vote of confidence in the re-election of the HTC Unity slate. You can count on us to work tirelessly and to do everything possible to return you to your jobs and to restore our industry to where it was before COVID-19 struck. It will take a monumental effort to achieve this goal, but I assure all that this administration is ready to make that effort."
NJ Governor Phil Murphy asks HTC Pres. Peter Ward to advise on re-opening tourism in the state
May 11, 2020 11:48 AM
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has announced the formation of New Jersey’s Restart and Recovery Advisory Council, which will focus on both the immediate efforts to restart New Jersey’s economy and the long-term recovery. Governor Murphy has asked HTC President Peter Ward to serve on the Council’s subcommittee for Tourism and Entertainment.
NYC giving out free face coverings at NYC parks until Tuesday, May 12
May 8, 2020 4:07 PM
New York City is distributing free face coverings at public parks until Tuesday, May 12th. Governor Cuomo has required New Yorkers to wear a mask or face covering when you are out in public and unable to maintain 6-feet of distance from others.
To find the closest distribution location, date, and time, click here.
For more information about face coverings, visit the Frequently Asked Questions prepared by the NYC Department of Health.
