‘Hyatt Hurts’ Boycott Inflicts Pain on the Hotel Giant (Updated)

by Bruce Vail

 

Jeff Nelson (R), research director of UNITE HERE, with Charlotte Knox (L), a 25-year veteran housekeeper at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore who told the City Council that working conditions have deteriorated. (Photo courtesy of Bill Hughes/UNITE HERE)

UPDATE: The full 14-member Baltimore City Council voted unanimously on March 18 to approve a resolution aimed at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore hotel, where a union organizing drive is currently underway. The resolution, passed in a voice vote, calls on Hyatt to sign a ‘Labor Peace Agreement’ to improve hiring practices and to protect the city’s financial interests as a union-sponsored global boycott goes forward. 

BALTIMORE—Hyatt Corp received an implicit vote of ‘no confidence’ from the Baltimore City Council late last week when the Labor Committee advanced a resolution to halt the hotel giant’s union suppression efforts.

The resolution pressures Hyatt to sign a ‘Labor Peace Agreement’ that would allow UNITE HERE Local 7’s organizing campaign at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore to go forward without obstruction from managers. Approved in a 3-0 vote on March 14, the resolution now heads to the full City Council, where it enjoys overwhelming support.

Fired Hyatt Workers Win Their Jobs Back

by Bruce Vail

L to R: Union supporter Angel Castro stands with Hyatt workers Mike Jones and Tarrance Taylor, who were fired, then reinstated.

BALTIMORE—Three hotel workers fired last year for pro-union activism at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore are back on the job this week as part of a January 26 deal to settle unfair labor practice charges brought by UNITE HERE.

Mike Jones, the last of the fired employees to resume his old job, reported for work this week. He’s eager to restart his union organizing activities, he tells Working In These Times. (The story of Jones’ firing and his efforts to win his job back were the subject of a Working In These Times story in November of last year.)

Understanding Your Economic Power within Your Community to Garner Strength

by Cory McCray

by Cory McCray

Metro Baltimore Council AFL-CIO President Ernie Grecco.

There have been many lessons that I have learned from being a part of the labor movement, and there have been many lessons that I have learned from Metro Baltimore Council AFLCIO President Ernie Grecco. Many of those lessons I have shared with friends and leaders within my community. A broad action that was exhibited by President Ernie Grecco, gives me another opportunity to share the learning lesson that we may already know, but find that it is always great to reiterate the principles that we know are effective.

Can Raising the Maryland Minimum Wage Strengthen Job Growth?

by Cory McCray

Last week, I had the opportunity to be a part of a coalition of community leaders, business leaders, churches, and other progressive leaders whom are concerned about raising the Maryland minimum wage for working families. Currently Maryland minimum wage is $7.25/per hour which is roughly $15,000 for 40 hours times 52 weeks. Keep in mind that for tipped workers, the minimum wage is 50% of the full minimum wage ($3.63/per hour).

Interesting Points Learned During Coalition Meeting:

• If Maryland minimum wage kept pace with inflation the last 40 years, Maryland minimum wage would be over $10.60/per hour today

• 19 States have minimum wages that are higher than $7.25/per hour

• 7 States require that tipped workers be paid 100% of the minimum wage

NLRB Backs Hyatt Workers Fired During Union Campaign

by Bruce Vail

Fired hotel worker Mike Jones speaks out against the managers of the Hyatt Regency Baltimore at a Nov. 13 press conference. Also shown are NAACP representative Tessa Hill-Aston (center) and UNITE HERE Local 7 President Roxie Herbekian (far right). Photo by UNITE HERE.

BALTIMORE – “They fired me [for organizing],” said Hyatt worker Mike Jones at a Baltimore rally this month hosted by Hyatt Hurts, a nationwide campaign against labor abuses at the hotel chain. Jones, a 10-year employee of the Hyatt Regency Baltimore, is one of four workers there who claim they were axed in a crackdown against a unionization initiative by UNITE HERE Local 7.

Jones’ statement has been backed up by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which filed a complaint against the hotel November 1. In the complaint, NLRB Acting Regional Director Albert W. Palewicz ordered a formal hearing on the charges to be held on January 14, 2013.

According to Jones, the Local 7 unionization campaign has been under way for about 18 months, but was not confirmed to hotel managers until May of this year. Since then, he says, managers have singled out union supporters for unfair disciplinary procedures in order to build a case for firings and to intimidate other workers.

Building Trades Diversity in Baltimore