UNITE HERE Gets CardCheck

    I had heard this rumor a couple of days ago and, yes, indeed, UNITEHERE has successfully wrestled Hilton Hotels to the ground: the chain agreed to card check recognition at its properties. For the uninitiated, that means that the union doesn't have to go down the road of the messy, unfair elections held under the auspices of the National Labor Relations Board. A showing of a majority support, via signed cards, by the workers will suffice. Nice.

Comments

[Anon]

Not sure, but it's not clear from the press reports that Unite Here got card check at all Hilton Hotels in all cities. It also looks like Unite Here may be making concessions effecting members working in Hilton Hotel restaurants. Anyone actually know what the deal is?

[anon]

well as recent as a few days ago they're still having anti-union meetings at my hilton. so it's still going to be a big fight.

The partnership plan includes working together "on growth where it makes strategic and economic sense, including card check agreements where appropriate," Hilton said in a statement.

...

"We will still negotiate city by city. Card check will be a negotiating item in those cities where it is appropriate," said Hilton spokesman Marc Grossman.

-Reuters

[Reece Chenault]

Way to go, UNITE HERE.

Hilton's definitely one of the tougher ones.

Does anyone know if they're working on Starwood as well?

[Anon]

I think the celebration is premature. First, it's not clear that Unite Here has achieved at Hilton what we all hope it has achieved. Maybe I was thinking too large, but I was imagining a nationwide agreement that would allow it to organize even in places, like say Jacksonville or Omaha, where it currently has little or no presence. Second, as far as Hilton being one of the tougher ones, I think that Hilton was the easiest one. And for that reaon, Unite Here sensibly targeted it first. Let's hope Unite Here can knock off Marriot without getting bogged down into a Cintas-length campaign (and without an Angelica/Sutter like legal defeat). I thing Unite Here is up to the challenge, but this seems like a small first step.

[kstrna]

It is city by city. Neutrality really doesn't mean anything. It is a stalling tactic more than anything & gives a false sense of security. Just ask the CWA with Verizon about card checks and neutrality. What is worrisome is the "partnerships" with Hilton Hotels. Hopefully the agreement doesn't include those what is good for business is good for labor trickle down type stuff. We don't need more of that like the agreement the SEIU made with nursing homes. The SEIU was going to push tort reform to make it harder for patients in such places to sue when they are neglected or abused. When it was made public, the rank & file members and patient rights' groups were not happy forcing the SEIU to back down. The agreement they made with the nursing homes is about to come up and the companies want to know what they got on their investment so there are rumblings about the SEIU pushing tort reform again.
http://www.sfweekly.com/Issues/2006-06-28/news/smith.html

[John Williams]

Neutrality agreements should mean that organizers can go unmolested onto the job site in non-work areas during breaks and lunchtimes so we can solicit cards. The employer should make a little speech saying they don't oppose unions and they will negotiate a contract if enough cards are signed.

If the workers are getting mixed messages that card signers are gonna get reassigned or fired than a neutrality/card check agreement ain't woth much.

[Ben]

Anyone who has ever done union organizing knows that cardcheck is a much better way to organize than through an NLRB election, neutrality agreement or not. That is why Hilton and the hotel industry have opposed it so strongly and why outlawing it is neck and neck with national right to work legislation on the right wing's anti-union agenda. I don't know the details, so I'm not gonna be a cheerleader for Unite HERE on this, i expect they'll prove themselves just fine anyway, but just look at Hilton's quotes:

before:

"This is not about wages or benefits. This is about the union wanting to grow,'' said Marc Grossman, a senior vice president at Hilton Hotels in Beverly Hills."Card-check neutrality is anything but neutral. Our view is that our team members have the right to hear both sides and then make an informed decision with no pressure in a secret ballot election."

after:

"We will still negotiate city by city. Card check will be a negotiating item in those cities where it is appropriate," said Hilton spokesman Marc Grossman."

Hilton's change of position is a major step forward and will have ramifications for other hotels as well.

[Ben]

Also, since when has CWA had any sort of neutrality or cardcheck agreement with Verizon?