San Francisco Hotel News & Labor Updates

Hospitality World Network June 13, 2011

http://www.hospitalityworldnetwork.com/north-america-caribbean/wolff-urban-acquires-hotel-opal-11612

Wolff Urban acquired the 167 room Hotel Opal and plans on converting the hotel to a Hampton Inn by Hilton. The renovation will require a complete overhaul of the hotel exterior with some interior upgrades. The renovated hotel will be the first Hampton Inn in San Francisco, [...]

Chicago Breaking News March 7, 2011 http://chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2011/03/union-approves-deal-with-local-hilton-hotels.html After 18 months without a labor contract, Hilton workers in Chicago have voted to settle on a four-year contract that maintains benefits at current levels and offers modest raises. Hilton is the first major hotel chain in Chicago to settle with the union in the heated negotiation process which has brought months of picketing, temporary strikes, demonstrations and boycotts to some of the largest hotels in Chicago. “We are pleased to have achieved a fair settlement for all sides — one that allows workers to move forward and share in the robust recovery that the hotel industry is experiencing,” said John Wilhelm, president of Unite Here. “We applaud Hilton for leading the way and upholding a decent standard for service workers in the hospitality industry.” Approximately 8,000 workers have been without contracts since August 2009. As with the last contract negotiations in 2006, the union is negotiating with the large hotel chains separately rather than as a group. The Hilton settlement – voted on Friday — gives contracts to 1,600 workers from the Drake, Palmer House Hilton, Chicago Hilton and Hilton O’Hare. Here Local 1 spokeswoman Annemarie Strassel said the union had a major win in negotiations over the number of rooms that each housekeeper is assigned to clean. Hilton had proposed that workers clean more rooms under a program called “Refresh” that gave housekeepers a curtailed task list for rooms that needed only to be refreshed rather than completely remade. Under the new contract, employees will clean the same number of rooms as under the old contract, a number Strassel said works out to be about 16 rooms per day. A room attendant making $14.60 per hour will earn $16.40 an hour by the contract’s end, she said. The contract also maintains current health benefits, she said — $30 per month for family coverage with no additional out-of-pocket expenses or reduction in benefits. Employees also cannot receive overtime when other similar employees are temporarily laid off and available to work, according to the union. A Hilton spokesman was not immediately available for comment. Workers in San Francisco and Honolulu will vote on similar settlements this week, according to the union. Contracts affecting 1,800 Hyatt employees and 4,600 workers at Starwood properties and other smaller hotels are still unsettled. Unite Here Local 1 spokeswoman Annemarie Strassel said those negotiations are still far from over. “We have some work to do there,” she said. [...]

Hyatt Calls on UniteHere Local 2 to Allow Secret-Ballot Elections, End Boycott Campaign That Hurts Hotel Workers, Thousands of Others Who Depend on Tourism San Francisco Sentinel March 3, 2011 http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=111387 Hyatt At Fisherman’s Wharf today filed a petition seeking a secret-ballot election in the face of UniteHere Local 2’s continued employee intimidation and harassment. The petition was filed with the regional office of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), an independent federal agency that safeguards employees’ rights to determine whether to have a union act as their bargaining representative. As the NLRB considers whether an election should proceed, Hyatt is calling on the union UniteHere to agree to a secret-ballot election in accordance with the NLRB’s standard rules and regulations. This rare employer-filed petition says that Hyatt associates deserve a secret-ballot vote because UniteHere, through its own communication and activities, is acting as if it already represents associates, even though they have not had an opportunity to vote on union representation. UniteHere’s tactics have included boycotts, pickets, requests for work rule changes, employee grievance filings and other intimidating actions at these properties. “The associates here have told me they are extremely frustrated with the constant harassment by UniteHere Local 2 and have asked that we help put an end to it,” said Dania Duke, general manager for Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf. “Local 2’s boycott campaign hurts the very workers Local 2 leadership is bent on forcing into union membership, and by putting San Francisco’s tourism industry at risk, the boycott campaign hurts thousands of other workers who depend on tourism to support themselves and their families.” Associates at Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf are frustrated with Local 2’s anti-tourism tactics and attempts to coerce them into union membership. They want to be able to come to work and focus on creating the best possible guest experience, and not be distracted by aggressive union operatives. “Rather than promoting divisiveness among our associates and working against the tourism industry, Local 2 leadership should focus its energy on promoting San Francisco as a terrific place for conventions, meeting and tourists,” Duke said. “Our associates are proud of their relationship with Hyatt and are great ambassadors for us, the industry and the city. They know the same is not true for Local 2 leadership.” If the NLRB approves the requests, elections would be held within approximately 40 days. Petitions were also filed for three other Hyatt properties, including Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, Hyatt Regency Long Beach and Hyatt Regency Indianapolis. In a number other locations where UniteHere already represents Hyatt employees, union leadership has delayed coming to the bargaining table to pressure Hyatt into “card-check neutrality” at Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf and other Hyatt properties. Card check neutrality eliminates an employee’s right to a private vote and the right to free speech. “Instead of addressing issues of importance to the employees they currently represent, UniteHere leadership is engaging in an organizing tactic designed to increase union membership and dues at the expense of many union Hyatt associates who have been working without contracts for more than a year,” said Robb Webb, chief human resources officer, Hyatt Hotels Corp. “Through this negotiation tactic, UniteHere is using its own members as pawns in a national campaign rather than representing their best interests.” “The law makes clear that our associates have the right to decide on representation in a government-supervised secret-ballot election with certain rules and parameters,” said Webb. “We believe that the democratic voting process administered by the NLRB for more than 75 years is the best way to assure that our associates’ voices are heard.” San Francisco’s #1 Industry, Travel and Tourism, On the Line Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the city’s most popular tourist and event hotels. With 313 guestrooms, 26,000 square feet of meeting space and a prime location near many of San Francisco’s world-famous attractions, the property is an important part of the city’s most important industry – one that adds billions to the local economy and provides vital tax revenue to the city. For the past two years, the downturn in the economy has hurt San Francisco tourism, with fewer visitors, lower occupancy rates and a decrease in overall revenues. Hotels like Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf have significantly lowered their room rates in order to attract guests and continue to provide work for their employees. “Despite the tougher times, San Francisco and thousands of local residents and small business owners continue to depend on tourism, the largest single industry in our city,” Duke said. “We are proud of the role we have long played in San Francisco, and our associates work hard to make ours a destination hotel for tourists from around the world. “But UniteHere Local 2 is spending $1 million this year to keep tourists away from the city – hurting our associates and the entire city. All Local 2 is interested in is growing its bank account through more membership and more dues. It’s time to end boycotts, pickets and street demonstrations that hurt the industry on which our own people depend. It’s time to let our associates vote on whether they want UniteHere Local 2 to be their bargaining representative, and to do it in a democratic, secret-ballot election.” About Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf The hotel features 313 spacious guest rooms boasting the plush, new Grand Bed with pillow-top mattresses; multifunction workstation with ergonomic chair; and luxurious bath with deluxe amenities. Guest services and amenities include Wi-Fi service throughout the hotel; 24-hour automated business center; complimentary transportation to the Financial District; newly renovated 24-hour StayFit @ Hyatt Fitness Center; outdoor heated pool and Jacuzzi. Dinind and entertainment options range from Knuckles at the Wharf, which was voted “Best Sports Bar in San Francisco,” as well as room service, which is offered from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Conveniently located across the street from the Mason/Powell Cable Car line, nearby attractions include Alcatraz, PIER 39, The Cannery, Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Cruises, Coit Tower, Lombard Street, Ghirardelli Square, Aquarium of the Bay and North Beach. [...]