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Information about the Hyatt and Unite Here
In the past few months, we have received questions regarding a labor management dispute between the Hyatt Corporation and the UniteHere! Labor organization which has been ongoing with the Hyatt Century Plaza. This Q&A provides more information for any members with questions.
What is the nature of the dispute between the Hyatt Corporation and UniteHere?
UniteHere! (one of four unions at the hotel) and the Hyatt Corporation have been in the midst of conflict over worker safety and other issues. While tentative agreements have been made regarding wages and benefits (the same as those in other hotels in San Francisco in which UniteHere has members; benefits are 100% employer paid), policies regarding union-membership voting rules and broader Hyatt chain worker safety history remain unresolved. Please note that the workers at the hotel are not on strike. Because of the continued disagreement over union-membership voting and worker safety history across the chain, UniteHere! is urging travelers and meeting planners to boycott the Century Plaza hotel. SCBWI is not alone in being contacted. Other major membership associations, such as the Society for Prevention Research and the American College for Environmental and Occupational Medicine, are also being contacted by UniteHere!. Other hotels being targeted for boycotts are in San Francisco, Chicago, and Honolulu.
Will SCBWI participate in a boycott?
No, not at this time. After looking into the matter closely, SCBWI has determined that participating in a boycott of the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel is not an appropriate or viable course of action. While SCBWI is supportive of the ongoing negotiations process and has communicated with and urged both parties to resolve their issues , it remains committed to hold its conference at the Hyatt Century Plaza from August 3-6th.
Isn’t SCBWI concerned about the health and safety of hotel workers?
The health and safety of Hyatt's employees and guests is of the utmost concern and importance to SCBWI, the Hyatt, and UniteHere!. UniteHere! wishes to continue its negotiations and advocacy for worker safety in the Hyatt Chain. In the meantime, The Hyatt, in response to UniteHere! complaints related to their collective bargaining and organizing agenda, have had the injury records and substantive working conditions of eleven hotels, including Century Plaza, thoroughly reviewed by Federal OSHA, California OSHA and two other State Plans. As a result of UniteHere! complaints and substantial review by OSHA, CalOSHA and other State plans, no ergonomic issues or other serious working conditions affecting housekeepers or Hyatt's other associates have been cited and no corrective actions have been required. These investigations have involved looking at thousands of records and at least three ergonomics experts and more than a dozen compliance officers following and videotaping countless housekeepers and other Hyatt associates doing their jobs. After all of this review by Federal and State agencies, including a significant amount of time at Century Plaza, Hyatt has not received any material serious citations as relates to the specific complaints made by UniteHere! to Federal and State OSHA, including any ergonomic issues.
Are the hotels workers at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on strike?
No. The workers at this Hyatt hotel are not on strike, nor are health and safety issues at Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles on the negotiating table in the dispute between UniteHere! and Hyatt.
Why Are SCBWI members being approached by UniteHere?
UniteHere! has pro-actively communicated with many organizations whose meetings take place at the hotels it is targeting. SCBWI is far from being alone – many organizations holding their conference in this and other Hyatt properties, have also been targeted with communications by UniteHere!, with similar boycotting requests.
Will SCBWI respond in any way to the labor dispute?
SCBWI will not participate in a boycott at this time, but we do plan to remain in active contact with the Century Plaza hotel and, monitor the situation as the contract negotiations continue, and keep you updated of any developments. Any new information will be posted on the SCBWI website www.scbwi.org
What if I am contacted by UniteHere! about the boycott?
Some SCBWI members have reported being contacted by UniteHere! representatives urging them to support a hotel boycott. Please feel free to refer UniteHere! representatives to SCBWI at 323-782-1010 should you receive a call. If you feel you have been contacted inappropriately, please let us know by calling the same number.
Are there other resources available to learn about the dispute?
Yes, we will provide any updated information as it occurs at www.scbwi.org. You can also visit the following sites for additional information regarding the dispute: the Hyatt Corporation web site at http://www.hyattworkplace.com; the UniteHere! web site at http://www.unitehere11.org; and www.hotelworkersrising.org.
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