For a safer, fairer future for all hotel workers:
Pass the Safe Hotels Act
Dear Subcontracted Workers:
The Safe Hotels Act - a bill that's currently in front of the New York City Council - would require hotels to directly employ the workers in core departments like housekeeping.
Contrary to what your boss may be telling you - You will not lose your job if the Safe Hotels Act passes.
In fact, in New York City it is illegal for a hotel to fire workers by getting rid of a subcontracting agency. That's because a City law called the Displaced Hotel Service Workers Act requires hotels in New York City to offer you your job at your current pay rate or higher if the subcontracting agency you work for is terminated.
The truth is that if the Safe Hotels Act passes, you could become directly employed by the hotel and you may even be paid more than you are now.
Why? Because Subcontractors take a cut of the pay that could be going to you.
In some cases, for every hour that a hotel pays to a subcontracting agency for a worker like you to clean rooms, the subcontractor takes a cut of $5 or more per hour. That's money that the subcontracting agency pockets, money that should be going to you.
NYC Law has protected hotel workers' jobs and wages before.
In 2023, the Margaritaville Hotel in Times Square ended its relationship with the subcontracting agency that had employed roughly 40 workers.
When the subcontractor’s agreement was terminated, the workers were all offered direct employment by the hotel because of NYC's Law. Because the subcontracting agency was no longer taking a cut, the workers immediately got raises of $5 to $6 an hour.
“When we worked for the agency, we made only $18 an hour and the agency made $6-$7 for every hour we worked. Once the agency left, most of that money went to us. And now, with a union contract, I make over $29 an hour.”
Deslyn Duncan, Room Attendant, Margaritaville The Safe Hotels Act would protect workers, guests, crime victims, and our communities.
The Safe Hotels Act would require hotels to meet conditions of cleanliness, safety and staffing that would benefit the workers, guests, and the community at large.
Join us.
Under the main union contract in NYC, union workers enjoy:
Excellent Wages
A Union Room Attendant with 4 years of experience makes $38.87/hour.
Free Healthcare
Union workers have free family health care.
Retirement
Union workers have a pension benefit - paid for by the employer - providing guaranteed retirement income.
Paid time off
After 1 year on the job, union workers have at least 25 days of paid time off per year including 5 vacation, 9 holiday, 3 personal, and 8 sick days.
Rights
Most importantly, union workers have:
Job security
Steady schedules (with advance notice)
The ability to negotiate for fair and reasonable workloads
Have questions?
Contact us. It’s confidential.