Posts tagged hospitality workers
Restaurant workers wanted to unionize at this L.A. hotel. Now the restaurants are closing
February 5, 2024 // The case is playing out at the Hotel Figueroa in downtown, home of Sparrow Italia, Cafe Fig, Bar Magnolia, the Cafeteria and La Casita at Driftwood. The historic building has for the last two decades built a following for its Mediterranean-inspired space and stylish dining rooms, but behind closed doors, tension has loomed between the third-party management company behind the restaurants, called Noble 33, and the estimated 100 food and beverage workers who run them. Discontent between Noble 33 and its employees at Hotel Figueroa started soon after the hospitality group took over food and beverage operations for the hotel in 2021, according to workers and union organizers who spoke with The Times.
Las Vegas Hospitality Workers Prepared to Strike in February
January 17, 2024 // While the unions reached a five-year agreement with Caesars Entertainment Inc., MGM Resorts International, and Wynn Las Vegas in November 2023, there are still hospitality workers without new contracts for Las Vegas properties including Circus Circus Hotel & Casino, SAHARA Las Vegas, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino. Those without contracts are hoping to get similar deals as those who reached agreements last November, which included a 32% pay increase and a reduction in workload.
Las Vegas hotel and casino workers reach tentative deals to avoid strike
November 13, 2023 // erms of the deals weren't immediately released, but the union says that the proposed five-year contracts will provide workers with historic wage increases, reduced workloads and other unprecedented wins — including mandated daily room cleanings. Before the pandemic, daily room cleanings were routine. Hotel guests could expect fresh bedsheets and new towels by dinnertime if a "Do Not Disturb" sign wasn't hanging on their hotel room doors. But as social distancing became commonplace in 2020, hotels began to cut back on the service. More than three years later, the once industry-wide standard has yet to make a full comeback. Some companies say it's because there are environmental benefits to offering fewer room cleanings, like saving water.
First Avenue says it will recognize employee union
November 6, 2023 // Workers cited low pay, inconsistent training and short-notice scheduling among their top concerns. Unite Here Local 17 will represent all of the company's hospitality employees, whose work ranges from collecting tickets to bartending. First Avenue recognizing the union "is a testament to the love the First Ave. workers have for each other, their unity and their desire to make their workplaces better," Unite Here Local 17 said in a statement. "We look forward to beginning discussions with First Avenue." If First Avenue had chosen not to recognize the union, the next step would have been filing a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to hold a union election.
Unions’ power ebbs and flows
November 6, 2023 // Unionization efforts have expanded but many are taking place where there is little history of organized labor, creating a higher bar for workers. Colvin points to Starbucks workers who have seen union drives clipped in the last year. Starbucks has been accused of chilling organization by closing unionized stores and firing pro-union workers. There are also limits for organizers under current labor law. That means that what worked in the auto workers' labor campaign, for example, may not be possible for other industries.
Hospitality workers, Las Vegas casinos in crunch time for labor talks
October 4, 2023 // The Las Vegas unions are among the most powerful in the United States, covering workers who wait tables, clean hotel rooms and prepare food. Their demands mirror similar activity in the shipping, rail and auto industries where employees have sought better compensation due to the higher cost of living as unemployment stays low. "The companies have an opportunity to do the right thing and step up and get a contract done, but if not, there could be a strike any time after that," said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the culinary union. "Any time after October 6th, there could be a strike," he said.
Las Vegas hospitality workers authorize strike against hotels, casinos
September 28, 2023 // The union represents more than 60,000 hospitality workers in Las Vegas and is one of Nevada’s strongest political forces. More than 95 percent of workers voted to authorize a strike Tuesday, the union announced. More than 40,000 members are working without a contract as the union seeks better pay, benefits and working conditions in negotiations with top casino companies including, MGM International, Wynn and Caesars Entertainment. The union did not set a deadline for a walkout, but a full strike would effectively freeze all activity on the Las Vegas Strip, key to the city’s economy. The union represents nearly all nongaming workers at hotels and casinos, including housekeepers, waitstaff and kitchen staff.
Union interest grows in Michigan in response to COVID, wage concerns
July 7, 2022 // Professor Marick Masters teaches business at Wayne State University and has written extensively on labor issues. He told 7 Action News that despite this measurable uptick, union membership in our state is still nowhere near where it used to be. “In 1960, 50% of the workers in Michigan were unionized," he said. Fast forward to now, and it's around 15%, when you combine the private sector and the public sector, where union membership is generally higher. Hannah Whitbeck, Frank Mamat, Coffee Creations,
Great Lakes Coffee in Detroit permanently closes after strike, unionization effort
May 25, 2022 // “It is permanent," attorney Frank Mamat of Dinsmore & Shohl, who represents the shop's coffee supplier, said Tuesday. "They (the coffee shop) weren't making money and they couldn't find people that felt comfortable working there because of omicron, and the customers felt the same way — they weren’t coming.”