July 8, 2013
By Neal Tepel
Chicago, Illinois – Hyatt Hotels Corp. and UNITE HERE, the union of hospitality workers in the United States and Canada, announced a national agreement that resolves longstanding disputes between the two organizations. The agreement creates a framework for the company and the union to work together moving forward. As part of the accord, UNITE HERE will end its global boycott of Hyatt.
The agreement will go into effect upon the settlement and ratification of union contracts by Hyatt associates in San Francisco, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Pending associate approval, the contracts will provide retroactive wage increases and maintain quality health care and pension benefits. The proposed new contracts would cover associates into 2018.
D. Taylor, the president of UNITE HERE, said, "We look forward to a new collaborative relationship with Hyatt. This agreement shows that when workers across the hotel industry stand together, they can move forward, even in a tough economy. Both organizations deserve credit for working out this constructive step forward."
Since its contract with Hyatt Hotels Corp. expired in August 2009, Unite Here has staged a series of one-day strikes in cities across the nation, including Chicago, protesting the company's outsourcing practices and what workers claim are abusive working conditions.
"We are delighted that our associates in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Waikiki will have contracts and the pay raises that go with them," said Doug Patrick, senior vice president of human resources for Hyatt.
