The Impact of Labor Unions in the Hospitality Industry
Sophia Gomez
June 7, 2012

Table of Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………..1
The History of Labor Unions.……………………………………………………………………..3
Labor Unions Today……...………………………………………………………. ……...............4
Labor Unions and Their Impact in the Hospitality Industry……...................................................6
How to Remain Union Free…………………………………………………………………........8
Summary……………………………………………………………………………………….....9
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….10
References…………………………………………………………….………………………….11

Abstract
Labor Unions in the United States have protected employee rights and benefits for several decades. Human Resources play an essential role …show more content…

For over a year a group of 30 or more employees from the hotel met in secrecy in an effort to form a union against the hotel’s low wages, overworked staff, and unorganized labor. This would become an almost four year battle against the Hilton Hotel. In 2005, with the help of UNITE HERE, the Rising Workers Campaign was launched against the hotel. Hilton attempted to soften the matter and come to an agreement by offering 50-cent pay increases and a promotion to a cook to become a kitchen key leader. This was not enough for the workers. What Hilton in Glendale did not know was that UNITE HERE had signed a national neutrality agreement with the Hilton Corporation in 2006, but it only applied to sites Hilton actually owned and operated. Because the Hilton in Glendale was a separate entity owned and operated by Eagle Hospitality, which ran 12 other hotels across the country, UNITE HERE went in for a boycott of Eagle Hospitality properties instead. Picketers targeted Eagle Hospitality hotels across Los Angeles weekly for 18 months until a settlement was agreed upon. "From that day on the whole hotel changed," [Angela Reid – a bartender at the Hilton] said. "It wasn't even the same hotel anymore." (Gaus, 2008) Another example of how unions impact the work force is with the Industrial Workers of the World Union (IWW) and it’s involvement in supporting all industries.