Feds to Prosecute Hyatt Regency Baltimore for Violating Federal Labor Law

[Omaha Steve]

Press Advisory for Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Contact: Tracy Lingo at [phone] or [e-mail].

Feds to prosecute Hyatt Regency Baltimore for violating federal labor law

Complaint issued by NLRB alleges unlawful firings, threats and surveillance of union supporters

WHAT: Press Conference, detailing a complaint against the Hyatt Regency Baltimore issued by the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for violating federal labor law—including unjust firings, threats and surveillance of union supporters.

WHEN: November 13, 2012, 12:00pm NOON

WHERE: In front of Hyatt Regency Baltimore, 300 Light Street

WHO: Fired Hyatt workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 7, and community supporters, including Tessa Hill-Aston, President Baltimore Chapter NAACP, Ernie Greco,President Metropolitan Baltimore AFL-CIO, and Father Ty Hullinger, St. Anthony’s de Padua.

WHY: This summer, Hyatt fired several workers leading an effort to unionize the HyattRegency Baltimore. Other workers have reported being surveilled by Hyatt management or threatened with arrest for lawful union activity, such as leafleting.

Now after extensive investigation, the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a Complaint against the Hyatt Regency Baltimore for violating laws that protects workers’ rights to organize. The federal agency is now prosecuting Hyatt, alleging a variety of unlawful activities, such as unjust firings of union supporters, threats, and management surveillance of union activity. A trial is set for January.

At Tuesday’s press conference fired union supporters will share details of the complaint and their experiences working at Hyatt. Community allies are joining Hyatt workers to call on Hyatt to reinstate fired workers and agree to stayneutral as workers organize.

These complaints add to a litany of controversies that have positioned Hyatt as the worst hotel employer in North America. Hyatt has been criticized for its abuse of housekeepers, aggressive subcontracting practices, and unjust firing of workers who have spoken out against mistreatment.

VISUALS: Signs: “Hyatt Regency Unfair”

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UNITE HERE Local 7 represents workers in Baltimore’s hospitality, food service, and gaming industries. Workers are available for interview. For more information, visit www.HyattHurts.org.