Hotel and Gaming Trades Council (EN)

Members, Elected Officials Speak Out Against Airbnb

At a press conference, Councilmember Ritchie Torres described Airbnb as the “worst company in New York City,” saying there is no other company that “undercuts affordability and job quality and public safety on the sweeping scale of Airbnb.”

Kimpton aims for 10 more NYC hotels in next 10 years

San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC, is planning on operating an additional 10 hotels in New York City within the next decade, according to an article on the Bloomberg Businessweek website. The company currently operates the Ink48, 70 Park Avenue, the Muse, and Eventi, all of which are union shops in Manhattan.

Unions look to revitalize Garment District

Unite-HERE! hopes to maintain New York City as a fashion capital and save the Garment District by proposing to designate 1 million square feet of space in various buildings at subsidized rents for clothing manufacturers.

Unions threaten to oppose key plans without promise of livable wages

A group of New York City's unions, including the Hotel Trades Council, have joined forces to fight the Bloomberg administration's redevelopment projects if the projects do not meet the unions' demands for livable wages and affordable housing.

NYC Takes On Illegal Hotel Scheme

New York City is suing to shut down a $2 million illegal hotel operation plaguing the East Side. The City has accused Real Estate Broker Arron Latimer and several co-defendants of operating illegal hotels via Airbnb in six residential buildings, including all eight residential apartments at 344 East 51st Street. By using fake host profiles to skirt City Law, Latimer is accused of renting out the apartments to 6,500 guests and generating $2 million over the last four years. Read more...

Borough President Ruben Diaz wants major hotel for the Bronx

A recent posting in Streetsblog makes clear that Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. continues his efforts to bring a world-class hotel to the Bronx. He noted his office has been working with both the Hotel Trades Council and the New York City Economic Development Corporation and is in discussions with multiple developers.

Federal court judge hears argument in Tavern name case

A federal district court judge vigorously questioned attorneys for New York City and for the LeRoys, current operators of Tavern on the Green, as each side argued it has the right to Tavern on the Green's famous name.