Long Beach Hotel Workers Unionize

Hyatt hotels in Long Beach, UNITE HERE Local 11 and Long Beach City Councilwoman, Dr. Suja Lowenthal, announced Monday that associates at the city’s Hyatt Regency and Hyatt The Pike  have elected to be represented by UNITE HERE Local 11.

All Hyatt associates who will be represented by UNITE HERE Local 11 in Long Beach were eligible to vote in the election, which was supervised by an independent election judge. The judge verified the results last week, noting that a majority of Hyatt associates who were eligible to vote chose to have UNITE HERE represent them. Hyatt associates were notified last week of the election results.

“We’ve always maintained strong relations with our associates and unions representing Hyatt associates in other locations, and we’ve always believed Hyatt associates should have the right to choose union representation in an election,” said Stephen D’Agostino, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Long Beach. “We look forward to working with UNITE HERE to reach a contract that will continue to support our associates and maintain our high workplace standards.”

In November 2012, Long Beach voters approved Measure N, establishing a new minimum wage for hotel workers. The election paves the way for a better relationship between UNITE HERE Local 11 and Hyatt hotels in Long Beach. The election also marks an end to UNITE HERE’s boycott of Hyatt Regency Long Beach and Hyatt The Pike.

“We are very excited to welcome Hyatt Regency and Hyatt The Pike workers to UNITE HERE, a growing movement of housekeepers, cooks, bellman and others in the hospitality industry,” said Ada Briceño, secretary-treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 11. “On behalf of our new members, we are committed to negotiating the best contract we can that addresses wages, benefits and working conditions. We look forward to sitting down together with Hyatt.”

Several Long Beach councilmembers joined today’s announcement at City Hall, including Lowenthal, whose Second District is home to both Hyatt properties.

“It’s rewarding to see that Measure N is already helping Long Beach’s tourism industry,” said Dr. Lowenthal. “Hyatt Regency Long Beach and Hyatt The Pike are important members of our community and anchors of the tourism industry in Long Beach. Measure N has allowed us to build a relationship between Hyatt hotels in Long Beach and UNITE HERE Local 11 that will benefit the hotels, workers and the community going forward.”