News
Great Job Rich!
September 11, 2020, 8:31 PM
By Former President Peter Ward
I just wanted to take a moment to pay homage to the absolutely marvelous and amazing job our new President, Rich Maroko, has done in almost single-handedly winning an additional three months of health care coverage, and the right to collect severance “bridge payments” for the approximately 28,000 HTC-represented workers covered under the IWA and Division A contracts. Read more...
2020 Census Efforts Are Ending Early. Make Sure You're Counted.
September 9, 2020 2:04 PM
The US Census Bureau will stop the 2020 Census efforts to reach unresponsive households four weeks early, on September 30, 2020. The decision, which many see as politically motivated, means that millions of Americans will undoubtedly not be counted.
By stopping Census efforts prematurely, historically undercounted groups: immigrants, Black and Brown Americans, and low-income households are at risk of being drastically undercounted. Read more...
57 Years Since the March on Washington
August 28, 2020 4:15 PM
Friday marks 57 years since the 1963 March on Washington — one of many significant events in the Civil Rights Movement, and a historic moment that we as a Union are proud to have joined. Organized by a coalition of civil rights groups, the march brought over 250,000 people from around the country to support the passage of civil rights legislation.
From the erosion of voting rights, to the murders of our Black brothers and sisters we have borne witness to this summer alone, our Union cannot simply celebrate this anniversary, but rather see it as a continued call to action. Read more…
HTC Stands in Solidarity with Professional Athletes Striking Against Racial Injustice
August 28, 2020 12:08 PM
On August 26, 2020, players on the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks refused to play in an important playoff game in response to the police shooting of an unarmed Black man, Jacob Blake, on Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The strike garnered national attention and shows the immense power that workers can have when they are united and demand change. Read more...
BREAKING NEWS: Extension to Healthcare Benefits and Coronavirus Safety Protocol
August 15, 2020 10:34 AM
I am pleased to report that, late last night, and after arduous negotiations over the last few days, we were able to finalize an agreement with the Hotel Association that (1) continues healthcare for an additional month for members covered by the IWA and Division A contracts and (2) extends the Coronavirus Safety Protocol Agreement for the duration of this public health crisis.
An outpouring of love and gratitude for former President Peter Ward
Many members have contacted us to thank Former President Peter Ward for his 41 years of service to our Union and wish him well in his retirement.
We encourage any member who wants to, to send a thank you video to [email protected]. You can also mail a handwritten note.
An In-Depth Look at the Career of HTC’s New President, Rich Maroko
August 12, 2020 4:04 PM
By Former President Peter Ward
When I announced to the General Officers and Executive Boards of HTC and Local 6 and the Local 6 Delegate Assembly that I had decided to retire, I recommended that Rich Maroko be appointed to fill my vacant offices. I explained to them the many reasons why I believed Rich’s appointment would be good for our Union.
The purpose of this report is to provide you with the same detailed description of Rich’s biography and career with HTC and Local 6. Most of you who know him, know how hard-fighting and smart he is and how much he cares about our members, but I think it is accurate to assume that you do not have as complete a knowledge of his many accomplishments on behalf of our Union as I have. Read more...
Peter Ward Retires and Rich Maroko Named to Succeed Him
August 12, 2020 11:34 AM
After 41 years of distinguished service, HTC President and Local 6 Business Manager Peter Ward announced he was stepping down from both his union offices to begin his retirement. On August 12, Mr. Ward and all of the General Officers enthusiastically recommended that the HTC and Local 6 Executive Boards, and Local 6 Delegate Assembly vote to appoint Richard Maroko, the Union’s chief negotiator, HTC Recording Secretary and General Counsel, and Local 6 Executive Vice President to succeed him as the leader of HTC and Local 6. That recommendation was wholeheartedly moved, seconded and enacted unanimously by all three governing bodies, as prescribed in the by-laws of both HTC and Local 6. 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...
College Scholarships Awarded to 22 High School Seniors
July 7, 2020 3:17 PM
There haven't been many good news items in 2020, with the COVID-19 crisis leaving so many of our union's members out of work, but the annual scholarship awards for this year can give all of us hope for the future. A total of $264,000 has been awarded to 22 promising students who are children of our union's members. Congratulations to these scholars and to their parents!
HTC Pres. Peter Ward on Our Union’s Efforts in the NY Primary
June 25 2020 6:41 PM
Tuesday’s primary election in New York was one of the most unusual elections many of us have experienced in our lifetimes, and I’m proud to report that our Union yet again played an outsized role in some of the most important races that were held.
The coronavirus pandemic has been, without a doubt, the most difficult challenge our union and its members have ever faced. The Union’s leadership and staff have risen to this challenge by identifying and making every possible effort we can take to address the hardships our members face. But, we also haven’t lost sight of the external world, where elections and legislative activity have the potential to impact us for years to come. Read more...
Governor Cuomo Signs "Say Their Name" Reform Agenda and Issues Executive Order on Police Accountability
June 19, 2020 5:57 PM
In response to ongoing state-wide protests and marches, Governor Cuomo signed the ‘Say Their Name’ Reform agenda into law on June 12, 2020. HTC had previously endorsed these measures. The new laws include reforms in policing and criminal justice: a repeal and reform of section 50-a of the New York State Civil Rights Law, allowing disciplinary records of police to be released to the public in cases of misconduct, a statewide ban on police chokeholds, a prohibition of false race-based 911 reports, and the designation of the NY Attorney General as an independent prosecutor in cases involving the deaths of unarmed civilians at the hands of police.
Governor Cuomo also signed an executive order on June 12: “The New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative,” requiring local police departments to adopt a plan by April 1, 2021 in order to be eligible for future state funding. Read more...
A Step Forward in the Fight to Restrict Illegal Hotels in NYC
June 18, 2020 12:59 PM
New York City and Airbnb have settled a year-and-a-half-long legal dispute over the City’s right to require Airbnb to turn over data in order to more effectively enforce local law.
Over the last 10 years, thousands of union activists, community members, and affordable housing groups have advocated at City Hall and in Albany to pass common-sense laws that prohibit the operation of “illegal hotels” in our neighborhoods. Not only do illegal hotels compete with good union jobs, but they pose security risks and raise rents in working- and middle-class neighborhoods across New York City. Read more...
Request an Absentee Ballot
June 16, 2020 8:00 AM
Today is the deadline to request your absentee ballot online or by mail, email, or fax for the New York State and Federal Primaries on June 23, 2020.
In the fight for social justice, voting is fundamental. We need to make sure we have elected officials at every level that will stand up for the rights of working people. Read more about how to apply and cast your absentee ballot.
The Deadline for the Union’s 2020 Writing Contest Has Been Extended
June 11, 2020 4:06PM
The 2020 writing contest for high school students is underway, and due to the COVID-19 crisis the deadline for submitting entries has been extended to Wednesday, July 15. In addition, a new essay topic has been added: How COVID-19 Has Changed Our Lives. Read More...
“In a Historic Victory, NY Legislature Repeals 50-A, Requiring Full Disclosure of Police Disciplinary Records” - the Innocence Project
June 10, 2020 12:59 PM
As our long-time ally, the Innocence Project writes about here, a historic victory took place on June 9th, 2020 when both houses of the NY State legislature voted to repeal 50-A, requiring full disclosure of police disciplinary records. The bill is now headed to the Governor’s desk for his signature, which is expected. While the Innocence Project, HTC and a large number of other unions and organizations endorsed the repeal of 50-A, we recognize and applaud the demonstrators in NYC and across the state, without whom these historic votes would have never taken place.
Stacey Abrams: “I Know Voting Feels Inadequate Right Now… Just Hear Me Out” - New York Times
June 9, 2020 6:28 PM
Stacey Abrams, recent Georgia gubernatorial candidate, lawyer, author, and potential U.S. Vice Presidential choice is also the founder of the voting rights group Fair Fight Action and the most prominent American voting rights activist today.
In this Op-Ed piece, she powerfully makes the unglamorous argument that the most important way to further the cause of justice in our country is to doggedly and tirelessly work to get more Americans to vote in every election, and to fiercely resist the deliberate Republican strategy in many states to discourage and cheat us out of our right to vote.
We agree and that’s why we urge all our members to register to vote, to be counted in the census, and to become citizens when and if they can.
Please read Ms. Abrams’ essay here.
Reverend Al Sharpton: "Get Your Knee Off Our Necks"
June 8, 2020 5:18 PM
On Thursday, June 4th, 2020, Reverend Al Sharpton delivered a memorable eulogy for George Floyd at a memorial service for him in Minneapolis. The family asked the civil rights leader to give the eulogy for Mr. Floyd as this wasn’t a normal death, nor simply an untimely death, but a lynching and the family asked the Reverend who has regularly amplified the voices and experiences of being black in the United States to honor Mr. Floyd and to contextualize his murder. Rev. Sharpton poignantly and stirringly voiced the righteous demand of millions when he said, “what happened to Floyd happens every day in this country, in education, in health services, and in every area of American life. It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say get your knee off our necks.”
HTC urges everyone to watch Rev. Sharpton’s remarks in their entirety. You can watch it here.
Guidance from NYC for Hotel Workers Scheduled to Work During Curfew
June 2, 2020 4:06 PM
New York City has put into effect a curfew from 8 pm until 5 am daily until June 8, 2020. Hotel workers (and other essential workers) who are scheduled to work during the hours of the curfew, have a meal break, or must travel from their home to work and back home are permitted to be out during the curfew.
The Mayor’s Community Affairs unit has published a list of these frequently asked questions about the curfew and more, which you can read here.
Mario Gabelli, an Honorary Member of Our Union, Donates an Additional $170,000 for Scholarships
May 29, 2020 2:49 PM
He's done it again! Mr. Mario Gabelli, who has already provided contributions of $181,000 to our union's scholarship fund, donated an additional $170,000 in May, bringing the total amount of his support for the college grant program to more than $350,000. The additional $170,000 will be used to provide scholarships for HTC members' children totaling $85,000 in 2021 and $85,000 in 2022.
