Hotel Voice
HTC's Growing Presence in New Jersey
Hotel Voice, Spring 2020
It wasn't so long ago when the Hotel Trades Council had little presence in New Jersey. But in recent years the union has become the collective bargaining representative of employees at numerous hotels in the northern part of the Garden State. Along with adding so many members, the union has also won a good deal of respect for its involvement in legislative activity. Further evidence of our union's growing presence in New Jersey took place recently when HTC Recording Secretary and General Counsel Richard Maroko was named to the NJ Transit Board. Read more...
Equal Pay Day Still Doesn't Come Soon Enough!
Hotel Voice, Spring 2020
March 31 is the year 2020's Equal Pay Day, an event designed to heighten awareness about the disparity in wages between men and women. Although equal pay has been the law since 1964, the truth is that women still receive less pay then men who have similar education, skills and experience. Today, women on average receive about 80% of the wages a man receives for the same work! Read more...
Groundbreaking for the New Queens Health Center Takes Place
Hotel Voice, Spring 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, Spring 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, Spring 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
February 19, 2020 12:00 AM
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.
More Than 4,700 Members Took Part in Women’s Health Week
Hotel Voice, Winter 2019
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.
Thousands Attended Men’s Health Week
November 25, 2019 1:12 PM
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
November 25, 2019 12:58 PM
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.
Meet Dr. David Jacobson, New Benefit Funds CEO
November 5, 2019 11:33 AM
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.
Dr. Greenspan’s Letter of Farewell
October 28, 2019 1:40 PM
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
October 4, 2019 2:56 PM
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
October 4, 2019 1:11 PM
“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
Hotel Voice — October 04, 2019
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.
Book Salutes Plaza Employees and HTC’s Historic Campaign to Save the Hotel
Author Andrew Solomon calls the book "compulsively readable," and Hotel Voice wholeheartedly agrees!
The book is entitled, The Plaza: The Secret Life of America's Most Famous Hotel. Written by New York Times contributor Julie Satow, it provides not only a fascinating history of the Plaza Hotel but also a chapter on our union's unforgettable effort in 2005 to stop the property from converting totally to condominiums.
TWA Hotel Opens at JFK
The old TWA terminal at JFK International Airport, which sat vacant for more than 20 years, opened in May as the TWA Hotel. HTC President Peter Ward was invited for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, where he joined the hotel’s developers and elected officials in celebrating the hotel’s opening.
$408,000 in Scholarships Awarded to 34 High School Seniors
It was a day of celebration on June 21, when 34 children of our union’s members were awarded a total of $408,000 in college scholarships. It was by far the largest amount of money ever awarded in a single year since the program’s inception in 1987. To date, the scholarship program has now awarded a total of $8,768,000 in grants to 1,080 students. It is money well spent. Past surveys have revealed that the program has had an outstanding record of success — virtually all previous recipients finished college or graduate school or are still pursuing their education.
Union Endorses Mayor de Blasio for President
It was standing room only at the union hall on June 5, when the Hotel Trades Council endorsed New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for U.S. President.
The full house was loud and enthusiastic before Mayor de Blasio even arrived, and the fervor grew stronger when HTC President Peter Ward introduced him.
Seniors’ Days 2019: Celebrating Our Retirees
Seniors’ Days 2019 was greatly appreciated by the hundreds of retired members (and those nearing retirement) who participated in the event.
As reported in the past, Seniors’ Days provides specific attention to retired members, both as a whole and as individuals. But it has also become a great resource in retirement preparation for members over age 55 who are still working. Those that participated in the event in May visited their respective Health Centers without any appointment being necessary, giving each of them the opportunity to speak personally with doctors, dentists and other health care and lifestyle professionals.
