News
Historic telegrams found at union
Recently, a union staff member discovered four historic telegrams, dating back to March 1965, documenting our union's early involvement in the civil rights movement. The telegrams were sent by our union at the request of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. after the murder, in Selma, Alabama, of Rev. James Reeb by a racist white mob.
NYC cracks down on “illegal hotels”
June 7, 2011 8:00 PM
Under a new state law effective May 1, New York City has started cracking down on owners who operate their residential buildings as "illegal hotels". Inspectors from the New York City Office of Special Enforcement started conducting inspections of properties, many of which had already been the subject of complaints by the long-term tenants who resided in the buildings.
$173,000 in back pay for St. Regis butlers
Twenty-two butlers in the housekeeping department at the St. Regis recently received sizable checks from their hotel in settlement of a grievance the union filed on their behalf. On the same day the arbitration hearing before the Impartial Chairperson was to begin, the hotel entered into the voluntary settlement agreement with the union.
Our union expands into New Jersey and Upstate
June 7, 2011 8:00 PM
During the past six months, our union has assumed a major new role as the collective bargaining representative for more than 2,500 additional hotel and gaming workers in 32 shops in northern New Jersey and the Capital District of New York State.
Plan for new hotel across from Museum of Modern Art is revived
June 7, 2011 8:00 PM
After months of uncertainty, it again appears a hotel possibly paired with condominiums will go up on the site of the Donnell Library across from the Museum of Modern Art on West 53rd Street.
Local 5 (Hawaii) wins contract with Starwood and Hilton
June 7, 2011 8:00 PM
On March 14, Local 6's sister union in Hawaii, Local 5 Unite Here, agreed to a three-year contract with Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, after workers voted to authorize a strike. The contract covers 2,800 union members at the Sheraton Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Westin Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Maui and Sheraton Kauai.
Borough President Ruben Diaz wants major hotel for the Bronx
June 7, 2011 8:00 PM
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.
Room Attendants show up in force at Manhattan Courthouse
June 5, 2011 8:00 PM
Elected officials and 1,500 members rally for Boathouse workers
May 1, 2011 8:00 PM
On April 21st, more than 1,500 HTC members, and an impressive list of important elected officials came out to the rally to support the Boathouse workers.
Boathouse worker Alejandra Betancur at Boathouse Rally
Central Park Boathouse Rally.
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer at Boathouse Rally
April 20, 2011 8:00 PM
Central Park Boathouse Rally.
Council member Melissa Mark-Viverito at Boathouse Rally
April 20, 2011 8:00 PM
Central Park Boathouse Rally.
Council member Letitia James at Boathouse Rally
April 20, 2011 8:00 PM
Central Park Boathouse Rally.
Council member Elizabeth Crowley at Boathouse Rally
April 20, 2011 8:00 PM
Central Park Boathouse Rally.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn at Boathouse Rally
April 20, 2011 8:00 PM
Central Park Boathouse Rally.
Boathouse worker Fernando Galicia at Boathouse Rally
Central Park Boathouse Rally.
Wisconsin anti-union bill becomes law but battle far from over
April 18, 2011 8:00 PM
On March 9 and 10, Wisconsin's Republican state senators and representatives passed legislation that stripped almost all of the state's 175,000 public employees of their collective bargaining rights and simultaneously enfeebled the unions that represented them. Governor Scott Walker signed the bill into law the following morning. The bill is nothing less than the use of state power to suppress democratic dissent, and is worthy of the worst third world dictatorship.
