Hotel Voice
Next Year’s Social Security Increase Is Lowest Ever
December 9, 2013 2:29 PM
Under the Social Security program beneficiaries receive an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) that is supposed to keep pace with price increases. Next year’s increase will be 1.5% (or about $19 a month), and it is the lowest COLA in history. This prompted Edward F. Coyle, the executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, to say, “I hope this news about next year’s Social Security COLA will cause politicians in Washington to reconsider their support for reducing this annual adjustment.
Union Wins Back Pay at Warwick Hotel
December 9, 2013 2:28 PM
A small group of servers at the Warwick Hotel’s restaurants found some unexpected holiday spending money in November when the Union obtained back pay for them.
Let’s look at the issues
December 9, 2013 2:26 PM
As a follow up to the Hotel Voice editorial of two weeks ago that criticized those members of Congress who are not acting on the important issue of immigration reform, we’d like to explain the benefits of fixing our country’s broken immigration system.
Members: Make Sure Your Info Is Current
December 9, 2013 2:25 PM
Is the beneficiary information for your life insurance and 401 (k) plan up to date? Life insurance and a voluntary 401 (k) plan are among the benefits enjoyed by actively employed members of our Union. But to ensure that you take care of the people you love and want to remember you have to make sure that the designation of your insurance and 401 (k) beneficiaries is up to date.
Services Available
December 9, 2013 2:23 PM
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION. Mondays and Fridays, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 707 Eighth Avenue, fourth floor. Phone (212) 245-8100. Free consultation. Members may also visit the offices of Kelman, Winston & Vallone, which are located at 2 Rector Street, Suite 2102, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., no appointments required. Phone: 212-966-3730.
Women’s Health Week Photo Album
December 9, 2013 1:53 PM
The outstanding turnout at the Health and Dental Centers at this year’s Women’s Health Week is another encouraging sign that more and more members are taking care of themselves and their families.
Let’s look at the issues
November 25, 2013 12:44 PM
This summer the U.S. Senate passed a bill that will enact comprehensive immigration reform. It isn’t a perfect bill, but it is at least a step in the right direction. It would relieve the terrible stress suffered by many undocumented workers who fear that they or family members will be deported. It would provide a somewhat cumbersome but nevertheless navigable path to U.S. citizenship for the 11 million undocumented workers in the U.S. and it would open doors of opportunity for them.
Union Wins Back Pay at the Andaz
November 25, 2013 12:33 PM
Talk about happy holidays, this time of the year is certainly happy for the members in this photo. They are part of a group of 10 housekeeping department employees at the Andaz Hotel who recently received a collective total of $54,000 in back pay after the Union objected to a contract violation. Distributing the checks are Rank and File Representative Angel Aybar, left, and Local 6 Business Agent Randy Sullivan.
Hotel Industry, Union Remember Anne Power
November 25, 2013 12:12 PM
The New York City hotel industry was shaken recently when Anne Power passed away. She was a veteran of the human resources departments at several hotels in our city, beginning at the St. Regis, and serving as the director at the Palace and the Westin Times Square, and she was highly respected by everyone. She was only 54 years of age when she passed away, adding to the great sadness her loss caused us.
Women’s Health Week Draws More than 3,000 Members
November 25, 2013 12:00 PM
It really says something when more than 3,000 members participate in an event, and we are happy to report that this year’s Women’s Health Week surpassed that number by quite a bit. That’s great news because the good health of our members and their families is always a primary goal of our Union.
Let’s look at the issues
November 18, 2013 12:38 PM
The recent Tea Party-led shutdown of the federal government and near default on U.S. debt threatened never-seen-before economic chaos. That’s why it is especially important for everyone to remember that the recent actions in Congress to reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling are temporary. We will face the same situation in just two or three months, unless Congressional negotiators can reach some type of budget deal.
Don’t Forget! Flu Shots Available at the Health Centers!
November 18, 2013 12:30 PM
We would once again like to remind members that flu shots are available to all members and their families at the Union’s Health Centers. Should you get a flu shot? Yes! Anyone who wishes to reduce his or her risk of getting the flu this year should be vaccinated. The truth is that there is no better way to avoid getting the flu than to get the annual vaccine. That’s because flu shots really can be effective in preventing the flu and the vaccines being administered by the Health Centers are the best ones available; they will prevent most strains of the illness, including the bird flu.
Aching Dogs Theater Wows Audiences Once Again
November 18, 2013 12:19 PM
The people in this photo have every reason to applaud. They are members of the cast of the most recent production of the Union’s theater program, Aching Dogs Theater.
Elected Officials Comment on Resorts World Contract
November 12, 2013 5:22 PM
The news that 1,375 workers at the Resorts World racino in Queens had a contract received wide attention in the media. Much of that attention was due to the fact that the contract nearly doubled wages immediately and will nearly triple wages by 2016. The contract was also featured in television ads urging a yes vote for casino gaming in New York, showing that Resorts World workers had good-paying jobs with benefits. The voters of New York obviously agreed. But in addition to all the media attention, the contract at Resorts World also drew comments from a number of elected officials.
Top Flu Shot Fears Discredited
November 12, 2013 5:13 PM
Each year fears, rumors and old wives’ tales keep more than half the people in the U.S. from protecting themselves from the flu. But the truth is this: There’s no better way to avoid getting the flu than to get the annual vaccine.
Union Wins More Back Pay at the St. Regis
November 12, 2013 4:42 PM
There’s lots of back pay for employees at the St. Regis in the photos seen here. In the top photo are some of the room attendants who recently received a total of $40,407. This amount was in addition to the $159,000 in back pay received by St. Regis room attendants that was reported in the August 26 edition of Hotel Voice.
Jackpot! Racino workers see their wages double in first contract
November 4, 2013 4:32 PM
History was made this week when Hotel Trades Council members employed at the Resorts World racino in Queens saw their wages hiked almost 100 percent. The nearly 1,400 workers now have a contract and, with the stroke of an arbitrator’s pen, they saw their earnings rise to a level that brings them into the middle class. It was a story so compelling, it received extensive coverage in New York City’s two biggest newspapers, both of which described the turn of events as “hitting the jackpot.”
Don’t Forget! Flu Shots Now Available
November 4, 2013 4:31 PM
We would once again like to remind members that flu shots are available to all members and their families at the Union’s Health Centers.
Women’s Health Week Nov. 4th - Nov. 8th
October 14, 2013 9:57 AM
It's Time to Take Control of Your Health.
Men’s Health Week Draws More than 3,500 Visitors
October 14, 2013 9:38 AM
This year’s Men’s Health Awareness Week drew 3,536 visitors, a 5% increase over last year’s attendance! Health and Dental Center staff members were delighted by the strong attendance, calling it further evidence that members are paying attention to health issues.
