Recent News & Archive
Groundbreaking for the New Queens Health Center Takes Place
Hotel Voice, February 20, 2020 - The groundbreaking for the new Queens Health Center took place on January 15. When it opens in 2021 it will be the most advanced facility of its kind, surpassing even the Brooklyn Health Center, which has drawn rave reviews from members and medical professionals alike. Present for the groundbreaking were Mayor Bill de Blasio, Comptroller Scott Stringer, City Council President Corey Johnson, City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and other representatives of New York City government, the Hotel Association and the union.
Mario Gabelli Named Honorary Member
Hotel Voice, February 19, 2020 - A special moment took place at the December meeting of the Local 6 Delegate Assembly, when for only the fourth time in its 81-year history the union bestowed an honorary membership. The recipient of the honorary membership was Mario Gabelli, whose generous support for the Hotel Trades Council's scholarship fund has allowed for more awards and larger grants. Mr. Gabelli's father, Joseph Gabelli, was a charter member of both Local 6 and the Hotel Trades Council.
Returning Glory: Midtown Health Center Nurse Helps WWII Veteran Recover Missing Medals
Hotel Voice, February 19, 2020 - Retired union member Private First Class Juan Collazo-Rodriguez comes from a proud military family. His father, Jesus, fought during WWI and his son, Abe, in Vietnam. Serving with the U.S. Army’s Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment during WWII, Juan saw action in Italy, France and Germany as part of the fight to defeat fascism. All three Collazo men were fortunate to return home safely from their separate wars.
A Look Back at 2019 and a Look Ahead to 2020
Hotel Voice, February 19, 2020 - As we look ahead to 2020 let’s also take a last look back at some of the significant events in our union during 2019. It’s a good reminder of what can be accomplished through our solidarity and determination. We began the year by announcing what is unquestionably the largest pension increase in the 81-year history of our union. This was particularly impressive when one realizes that at the time this increase was announced the HTC pension was already the largest pension anywhere in the hotel industry.
Apply Now for 2020 College Scholarships!
Hotel Voice, February 19, 2020 - The Vito J. Pitta scholarship program and the Hotel Trades Council Division A scholarship program are now accepting applications for their 2020 awards. These programs provide an outstanding opportunity for members’ children to supplement the ever growing high cost of college. That's why parents should not let their children miss out on the chance to enter these competitions! Last year a total of $408,000 (a record amount!) was awarded to 34 lucky — and very talented — graduating high school seniors.
More Than 4,700 Members Took Part in Women’s Health Week
In 2004 Hotel Voice reported the good news that more than 1,500 members participated in the first Women’s Health Awareness Week. Things have really changed since then, with more than 4,700 members participating in the event this year. And that’s great news once again because the good health of our members and their families is a primary goal of the union.
New York Times: Airbnb Suffered a Big Defeat in Jersey City
"The new restrictions were a major defeat for Airbnb as it prepares to go public and the latest in a string of laws that cities around the world have passed to regulate the home-sharing industry’s explosive growth.
The Jersey City regulations gained steam following concerns that the platform’s 3,000 listings, many run by large-scale investors, were pushing often-unruly tourists into residential areas, helping shoot up housing costs and accelerate gentrification."
Enrollment Dates for 401 (k) Benefit Are November 25 through December 13
The Union’s popular 401 (k) benefit has only two enrolment periods each year, and one of them is rapidly approaching. For this reason it would be a good idea to review why this benefit has so many members participating —13,722 to be exact!
As we have reported often in the past, a 401 (k) account is one of the very few investment tax shelters available to working families. As we have also reported often, almost all financial advisors consider a 401 (k) account it to be one of the smartest investments workers can make. These important facts should be especially considered now, because the next enrollment date for the Union’s 401 (k) plan benefit takes place between Monday, November 25 and Friday, December 13.
Thousands Attended Men’s Health Week
Good health is on the minds of many HTC members, if attendance at this year’s Men’s Health Week is any indication. The event was held at the Health and Dental Centers from Tuesday, September 10 until Friday, September 13, and thousands of members participated.
Walkathon Benefits Coalition for the Homeless
The 28th annual Hotel Workers Walkathon, held on Sunday, September 29, drew hundreds of participants to raise money for the Coalition for the Homeless. It was a great day for all, as members and their families gathered at the Roosevelt Hotel for a complimentary breakfast to kick off the event. As always, it was a fun-filled effort to benefit a worthy cause: The New York City Coalition for the Homeless.
Here Are the 2019 Writing Contest Winners
In an exercise that showed the enormous talent in our union family, high school students from grades 10 through 12 submitted scores of entries into the 2019 writing competition. We’re glad they did.
More than half the essays and almost half of the narratives written by the students had immigration as their subject, and many of those explained how the union benefited their families. The Second Amendment, modern day heroes and the politicizing of the U.S. Supreme Court were also popular essay topics, and there were quite a large number of poignant essays and narratives about self-discovery.
Members and Their Families Loved Kids Days 2019
There were plenty of medical and dental visits recorded at the union’s Health and Dental Centers for Kids Days 2019. The strong attendance provided ample evidence once again that members recognize the huge value of this event and all the other annual health awareness events. In addition to all that, Kids Days 2019 proved to be great fun for all who participated.
Meet Dr. David Jacobson, New Benefit Funds CEO
I’d like to thank the Board of Trustees for giving me the privilege of serving hotel industry employees and their families in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer of the Benefit Funds. For the benefit of those who don’t know me, I’d like to tell you a little about myself.
Children’s Holiday Party Registration
The union is registering children for its annual holiday party beginning Friday, November 1, and continuing through Friday, November 22. Don’t let your children miss out on this festive, fun-filled event, which happens to also be a happy holiday treat for the parents who attend!
Dr. Greenspan’s Letter of Farewell
I believe I have one of the best jobs in all of New York. It has been a rare privilege to serve the men and women of the Hotel Industry and positively impact their quality of life on a daily basis. I recognize the good fortune I have had to work in an organization that continually exhibits that it cares about quality and commitment. I enjoy the prospect each day of coming to work and collaborating with a talented, dedicated team, providing high quality, cost-effective benefits to people dependent upon our services.
Members and Their Families Loved Kids Days 2019
There were plenty of medical and dental visits recorded at the union’s Health and Dental Centers for Kids Days 2019. The strong attendance provided ample evidence once again that members recognize the huge value of this event and all the other annual health awareness events. In addition to all that, Kids Days 2019 proved to be great fun for all who participated.
Dr. Robert Greenspan Is Retiring as Benefit Funds CEO; Dr. David Jacobson Is Replacing Him
“I believe I have one of the best jobs in all of New York,” Greenspan said, in a letter to the Funds Trustees, notifying them on his intention to retire. “I recognize the good fortune I have had to work in an organization that continually exhibits that it cares about quality and commitment.”
Awards Announced in Union’s Writing Contest
The Union’s writing contest is an annual competition that awards cash prizes and bragging rights to high school students whose parents are members of the Hotel Trades Council and/or Local 6. Since its inception, the contest has revealed that there are many talented and intelligent young adults in our union’s family. The 2019 contest was no different. Like its predecessors, this year’s writing competition provided solid evidence that there are a lot of bright and creative students in grades 10 through 12.
The Story Behind the GRIWA
When HTC’s jurisdiction was expanded in 2010, it inherited hotels with weak contracts, low wages and benefits, and workers who were not impressed by the union representation they were receiving. After several difficult contract fights to improve upon these poor conditions, HTC set out with a plan to imitate the success that HTC has achieved in New York City by organizing more hotels to expand union density and by establishing a new master contract for the region similar to the IWA in New York City.
