News
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.
Peter Ward and HTC Administration are Re-elected
May 11, 2020 4:35 PM
Peter Ward and the entire HTC administration have been re-elected to office by acclamation. The administration will serve a three-year term of office.
"It is certainly evident that our union faces unprecedented challenges right now," Peter Ward said. "I am confident that our administration has the best people possible to help steer our union through this exceedingly difficult time, and I thank HTC members for this vote of confidence in the re-election of the HTC Unity slate. You can count on us to work tirelessly and to do everything possible to return you to your jobs and to restore our industry to where it was before COVID-19 struck. It will take a monumental effort to achieve this goal, but I assure all that this administration is ready to make that effort."
Building Political Power: Complete the 2020 Census Now
May 2, 2020 12:15 PM
If you haven’t already participated in the 2020 census, we strongly encourage you to complete your census questionnaire now. The results of the census are critical in determining your community’s political representation and getting access to federal funding over the next 10 years.
There is a great risk that because of fear among immigrant communities and because of COVID-19 (which has made it impossible for census counters to go door to door to collect incomplete surveys), that people will go uncounted in the 2020 Census. When people are uncounted it has drastic and dangerous impacts.
Resorts World Catskills Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Ratify Their New Contract!
April 15, 2020 6:00PM
On Monday, March 30th, the workers at Resorts World Catskills ratified their second HTC contract through an online secret ballot vote. An overwhelming majority of 98% voted in favor or the agreement.
Negotiated before the Coronavirus outbreak, Resorts World Catskills signed onto the Greater Industry Wide Agreement (GRIWA), our union’s landmark master contract for upstate New York, Northern New Jersey and the suburbs of New York City. The GRIWA provides much needed security to the workers at Resorts World Catskills during this extremely difficult time in our country, securing rights, wages and benefits until March 31, 2023.
New York Times: Airbnb Suffered a Big Defeat in Jersey City
November 27, 2019 8:56 AM
"The new restrictions were a major defeat for Airbnb as it prepares to go public and the latest in a string of laws that cities around the world have passed to regulate the home-sharing industry’s explosive growth.
The Jersey City regulations gained steam following concerns that the platform’s 3,000 listings, many run by large-scale investors, were pushing often-unruly tourists into residential areas, helping shoot up housing costs and accelerate gentrification."
The Story Behind the GRIWA
When HTC’s jurisdiction was expanded in 2010, it inherited hotels with weak contracts, low wages and benefits, and workers who were not impressed by the union representation they were receiving. After several difficult contract fights to improve upon these poor conditions, HTC set out with a plan to imitate the success that HTC has achieved in New York City by organizing more hotels to expand union density and by establishing a new master contract for the region similar to the IWA in New York City.
Why de Blasio’s the Candidate for Working Families
June 27, 2019 12:32 PM
Throughout most of the last century, if you had a job at a manufacturing plant, it was hard work, but it also meant stability and opportunity. Whether you worked with steel, textiles, rubber or any of the industries that fueled America's economy, it meant you could have a house, a car and the ability to put food on the table for your family.
While many of those jobs no longer exist, their legacy of unionized work creating a pathway to the middle class lives on in the hotel industry. Hotel workers are the modern-day manufacturing plant worker.
Don’t Be Fooled!
May 12, 2019 4:26 PM
If someone approaches you, including someone who claims to be affiliated with the Union, and offers to help you find a unionized hotel job in exchange for money, it is a scam. DO NOT give them anything! The Union’s job referral service is free and hotels are prohibited by the IWA, the Union’s contract, from requiring (or even requesting) any “charge or fee” from job applicants.
City & State – Top Union Leaders to Gov. Cuomo: End NYC’s School Bus Crisis
March 14, 2019 2:15 PM
For decades, the City of New York understood the importance of creating and maintaining a skilled, professional and experienced work force to care for and safely transport our school children, many of whom have special needs.
HTC was first – now the panic button idea is catching on
One of the occupational hazards that hotel workers in certain job classifications (especially in housekeeping and room service) face is the reality that their duties require them to enter isolated locked guest rooms by themselves, and that some hotel guests inside may have malevolent intentions.
Deduct Your Union Dues From Your New York State Income Taxes
Thanks to new legislation, union members can now deduct their union dues in full from their New York State income taxes. In order to take advantage of this new law, union members must itemize their deductions on their New York State tax filings.
A Game-Changer: The HTC Contract At Rivers Casino
November 28, 2018 1:52 PM
The newly signed first union contract between HTC and Rivers Casino & Resort is a game-changer for 800 workers and their families. It will significantly improve their standard of living and their lives at work and vastly multiply their legal rights.
Rivers Casino Workers Ratify Their First Contract
November 28, 2018 12:49 PM
An excellent new first contract has been successfully negotiated by our union for the 800 employees of the Rivers Resort and Casino in Schenectady, New York. It was ratified by the workers with a resounding 98% majority on October 17th and 18th. The casino/resort signed on to HTC’s Greater Regional Industry Wide Agreement (the "GRIWA"), which is our union’s recently established landmark master contract for upstate New York, Northern New Jersey and the suburbs of New York City.Peter Ward Named #15 On Albany Power 100
May 21, 2018 12:00 AM
Hotel Trades Council President Peter Ward has been ranked #15 on this year's list of the most powerful people in Albany. The Albany Power 100 is an annual list published by City & State, shedding light on the individuals and interests that wield influence in our state government.
Union Victory! HTC wins a contract at the Hilton Albany
January 24, 2018 4:00 PM
After a four-month long boycott and picket line, HTC has won a contract for the 146 workers at the Hilton Albany hotel.
Crain’s: Primary night winners and losers
September 13, 2017 11:59 AM
"The 32,000-member [Hotel Trades Council] is a fraction the size of more prominent labor organizations 1199 SEIU or 32BJ SEIU, but punches well above its weight thanks to an efficient and aggressive political arm. All 26 council candidates it endorsed triumphed Tuesday night, roughly half of them in competitive contests."
HTC wins recognition at the Courtyard Marriott Midtown East
August 23, 2017 10:07 AM
On August 1, 2017 workers in the Rooms, Casual Dining, and Repairs & Maintenance departments at the Courtyard Marriott Midtown East Hotel won Union representation by HTC.
HTC Certified as Representative for 600 Workers at Rivers Casino!
February 27, 2017 12:15 PM
On February 27th, the Hotel Trades Council was certified as the bargaining representative of more than 600 workers at Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady, NY. This marks the second casino that HTC has organized in less than a month.
1,200 Del Lago Casino workers organize with HTC!
February 15, 2017 12:58 PM
On February 15th, HTC was certified as the collective bargaining representative of 1,200 bargaining unit employees at the new del Lago Resort and Casino in the Finger Lakes Region. The del Lago is the second major casino in New York State to be organized by our union.
Cuomo and Casino Owner Credit HTC for Rivers Casino Opening
February 8, 2017 7:27 PM
At the press conference, Rivers Casino owner Neil Bluhm spoke on HTC President Peter Ward’s aid in passing legislation for upstate casinos. "Without Peter’s great work we wouldn’t be here. He was very instrumental in getting the legislation enacted, welcomed us and we look forward to working with you, Peter, in the future.”
