Desmond Hotel Workers Ratify Contract
New York Hotel Workers’ Union: http://www.nyhtc.org
Reposted on LaborPress October 1, 2012
The Hotel Trades Council reached agreement on a new contract last week with management at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany. The employees of the hotel voted to approve the agreement over the next two days, ratifying it unanimously by a vote of 78-0. Following the agreement, the Union became immediately engaged in a busy campaign to let the public know that the boycott is over and to encourage everyone to use the hotel.
“This was a tough fight that ended in a huge victory and a great contract for all of us and our families,” said Desmond Hotel cook Bob Ward. “It’s really great to finally have a real union that backs us up!”
The new contract at the Desmond resolves a number of serious problems that existed under the old contract, which had been negotiated by another union and had expired in 2010. The new contract went into effect immediately and it is retroactive to September 10 of 2011.
The Union’s boycott campaign began in June, and it had great success in curtailing business at the Desmond. Now, of course, the Union wants to make sure everyone knows that the boycott is over.
“The most important thing we can do now is to let everyone know that the Desmond has a union contract and that all of us — management, the employees and the union alike — greatly appreciate their patronage at this outstanding hotel and conference center,” Peter Ward said. “Restoring business at the Desmond is a top objective, and we will do everything necessary to accomplish this goal.”
