Workers at the W Hollywood are in contract negotiations with HEI Hotels. “We’re thrilled to welcome the workers of LA’s two newest hotels to UNITE HERE,” said Tom Walsh, president of UNITE HERE Local 11. “As the hospitality industry expands and improves, we look forward to settling fair deals that will ensure everyone benefits from its success.”
As the W Hollywood and JW Marriott/Ritz Carlton opened earlier this year, tourism surpassed manufacturing and trade as LA County’s number one job-generating industry. UNITE HERE Local 11 wants to make sure these tourism jobs provide LA workers with a living wage and fair benefits on which they can raise a family.
“Having worked in a non-union hotel, I’m happy to be at the W Hollywood, where we have respect and a say on important matters like workload and benefits,” said Soccoro Ponce, a housekeeper at the W Hollywood. “We are happy to be at the negotiating table and hope to work out a fair contract soon."
Earlier this year, HEI owned Embassy Suites in Irvine was hit by a suit for $120,000 for back pay for several years of missed breaks, followed by a boycott of the hotel. HEI purchased the property in 2006 for about $60 million. The hotel was sold in November 2010 for an undisclosed sum with HEI remaining as the third-party operator for the property.
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