The NYC hotel industry is launching a $500k ad campaign ahead of their contract expiring with our union. A representative for the hotel industry reportedly “raged” over our “cushy” union contract in an attempt to build sympathy for billionaire hotel owners and international corporations.
The truth? Nothing about hotel work is cushy. It’s back-breaking work, done by hardworking New Yorkers who are trying to survive in an unaffordable city.
SupportHotelWorkers.com
This summer, our state officials made dramatic improvements to New York’s unemployment system.
In the event management forces a strike in 2026 negotiations, these changes mean our members will collect higher benefits and will get benefits sooner - and that means our members on strike can afford to take on management for as long as it takes.
NYC’s cost-of-living crisis is hitting hotel workers hard.
Data from a recent HTC membership survey shows: 93% of HTC members fall below NYC’s true cost of living threshold. 48% spend over half of their household income on housing. 40% couldn’t cover a $400 emergency expense from their savings.
Our members serve luxury, but can’t afford to live near it – with 42% of NYC hotel workers commuting over an hour one-way to get to work.
Hotel workers are just asking for enough to support their families in this City. Support hotel workers.
“Doing this job for so many years destroys our bodies,” describes NYC Room Attendant Belkys.
“When we meet in the morning to eat breakfast at work, I like to say it feels like a hospital. One person says their back hurts, another says their knees hurt, and so on with everyone.”
Hotel workers need protection. Support hotel workers.
This weekend, HTC volunteers were out canvassing in Lower East Side with @graceleefornyc for State State District 27 and @illapanyc for State Assembly District 65! #UnionPower 💙💪
“After 21 years of doing this, my right hand is destroyed,” said Fatmata, a Room Attendant at a NYC hotel. “It’s killing me, it’s tearing me apart.”
“It’s not only me. We’re all feeling the pain.”
Hotel workers need protection. Support hotel workers.
Hotel workers need protections. Years of doing this work destroy our bodies – 86% of hotel workers have pain caused by the job. The work is so much harder on nights we are sold out. During events like the World Cup, it is a race against the clock.
You know Scabby the Rat. Now introducing our bloodsucking bedbug. Behind the scenes at the union office, our operations team is preparing for the next picket line.
What should we name this bloodsucker? Vote in our story!
Today marks one year since the Safe Hotels Act went into effect. This law provides common-sense protections for guests and workers across NYC’s hotel industry.
Hotel workers fought hard to pass the Safe Hotels Act – with thousands of HTC members rallying and testifying in order to win city-wide protections for the workers who power the hotel industry and the guests that they serve.
In the 365 days since the law has been in effect, @hellodcwp has been focused non-stop on enforcement – granting 766 licenses, performing 1,200 hotel inspections, and issuing 170 summons to suspected violators.
“My job at the Surrey meant so much to me. It’s how I put my three kids through school, provided my family with healthcare, and it gave us a sense of security in life,” said former Surrey worker José Andújar. “I dedicated years to this hotel. My coworkers and I are still fighting for our jobs back. We won’t give up.”
Learn more at shameonthesurrey.com
