Juana Velez

Senior HEAT Organizer

A union member for three decades, Juana got her first union job at the Empire Hotel in 1994 before going on to work as a Floor Supervisor at the Westin Grand Central. In 2011, Juana helped support the Boathouse strike in Central Park. Later, Juana joined our union’s external organizing team, where she helped organize hotels across New York and New Jersey. Now, Juana serves our union’s members as a Senior HEAT Organizer, where she brings her energy, commitment, and years of expertise to every conversation. Her favorite part of the job is meeting hotel workers face-to-face – answering your questions, guiding you through your rights, and encouraging you to read your contract. She’s a firm believer that achieving meaningful change, from passing legislation like the Safe Hotels Act to winning stronger contracts, starts with member participation. And she’s committed to this work because the union changed her life, and the life of her family.