Hotel and Gaming Trades Council (EN)

What happens when the emergency funding of our IWA and Division A health funds ends?

August 24, 2020 12:22 PM

As you know, normally, if you are laid off or leave your job, your healthcare coverage ends unless you buy continuing COBRA coverage. Fortunately, during the Coronavirus crisis, our Union has been able to make the employers to pay the cost of continuing to provide health coverage to the tens of thousands of our members who have been laid off.

While your Union is trying to extend benefits even further, there is little question that the additional funding for employees who are not working is going to end before the industry gets completely back on its feet. We want the workers we represent to be prepared for when that happens. Read more...

Members Urged to Vote for Quinn, Stringer and Squadron on Primary Day

“The future of our city is at stake.” That’s the way Hotel Trades Council President Peter Ward described this year’s political races on April 29, when the leading Democratic candidates for New York City Mayor and Public Advocate met with members of our Union at Gertrude Lane Auditorium. The message was clear then, and it is even more important now, as Primary Day approaches.

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.

Member Q&A: Veronica Senghore, 1 Brooklyn Bridge

Veronica Senghore, a member of our Union for 22 years, joined H.E.A.T. this summer to knock on doors for State Senator Gustavo Rivera, who narrowly won a very tough primary. Veronica sat down for an interview with the Hotel Voice to discuss her very first canvassing experience. Read more...

Workers at the TWA Hotel Vote 128 to 0 to Ratify First Union Contract

July 15, 2020 7:18 PM

On June 17th, 2020, workers at the TWA Hotel unanimously voted to ratify their first union contract by a resounding 128 YES to 0 NO. The contract victory comes less than one year after TWA workers first won HTC representation through a card check neutrality agreement—an agreement that made sure the workers at TWA could choose to join our Union easily and without fear. Now, the TWA Hotel is signed onto the Union’s Industry Wide Agreement (“IWA”), the master contract that HTC members have fought to defend and improve over the past 80 years. The new contract includes immediate wage increases averaging $5.10/hour, free family health benefits, safety protections during the Coronavirus, and a long list of additional rights. Read more...

Workers at the EVEN Brooklyn, by IHG, Win a Contract

The union has won at contract for the workers at the EVEN Hotel in Brooklyn. The employees won HTC representation through a card count certification conducted at the Office of the Impartial Chairperson.

Occupational health disparities in the US hotel industry

Among workers in the hotel industry, room attendants are at the highest risk for injury, according to a study recently released by the University of Illinois.

NYC City Council passes and Mayor de Blasio signs law protecting hotel workers and guests

September 30, 2020 3:10 PM

Last Wednesday, by a vote of 45 to 4, the NYC City Council passed, and on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed, a new law which will provide vital security for New York City hotel workers, and which will also greatly enhance consumer protections for people traveling to our city.

HTC President Rich Maroko commented, “40,000 HTC members and their families applaud and thank the mayor, the speaker, and all our friends in the City Council for acting decisively to enact critical measures to prevent a small, unscrupulous segment of the hotel owners in this city from exploiting the COVID-19 disaster to profiteer. We are fortunate to have elected officials in this city and state who have acted courageously and responsibly in these terrible times.” Read more...

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.

Union Wins Contract Extension for Americana Inn, Avalon, Shoreham, and Life Hotel