Winter 2023

COVER STORY

A Report from HTC President Rich Maroko

It’s hard to believe that it was almost three years ago when we first started hearing murky reports about a new virus in New York City. Ultimately, COVID-19 turned our world upside down, claiming millions of lives and leaving the entire economy, including our industries, in tatters. Read more...

FEATURES

Newsfeed

A brief report on our Union's progress since the last Fall. Read more...

Highlight Reel: 2022 Year in Review

Highlights of our accomplishments and events in 2022! Read more...

HTC Donates Over 6,500 Essential Supplies to Asylum Seekers

In August 2022, Texas Governor Greg Abbott started bussing asylum seekers at the U.S./Mexico border to New York City as part of a cruel, political stunt. As the buses arrived to Port Authority, we saw thousands of people and families deserted in our city with few supplies and nowhere to stay. Various non-profits and city agencies scrambled to provide support. Our Union community sprang into action, quickly organizing a supply and clothes donation drive. Read more...

'Round and About

Community news from our Union brothers and sisters. Read more...

Brie Mac ‘N Cheese with Spinach and Figs

Union Chef Jose Luis Rojas began working as a Delivery man in the 1980s. He soon became a Busser, next a Waiter, and then finally made his way into the kitchen. He hasn’t left since. Read more...

Farewell, Retirees!

Joining a Union,” says HTC Organizer Wendy Baranello, “is when a job becomes real, as opposed to just working on somebody’s whim.” After years working at the whim of Tavern on the Green management, Wendy fought to make her Food Server job “real,” and, along with her co-workers, won an HTC contract in 1989. Read more...

UNION CONTRACTS

The GRIWA is Expiring: What to Expect

On March 31, 2023, the current Greater Regional Industry Wide Agreement (the “GRIWA”) will expire. Read more...

Workers at Hilton Albany Ratify the GRIWA After 11 Months of Negotiation

For the first time since joining our Union in 2011, workers at the Hilton Albany had the chance to vote YES for our Union’s master contract outside of NYC: the Greater Regional Industry Wide Agreement (the “GRIWA”). On January 19th, 2023, 99% of workers voted to ratify the GRIWA, securing the master contract at their shop for the next four years. Read more...

Workers at the Hard Rock Unanimously Vote YES to Ratify their First Union Contract!

On the evening of December 15th, 2022, workers from the Hard Rock New York gathered around a table in our Union’s auditorium to count their ratification ballots. Read more...

HOTEL & GAMING INDUSTRY

Upcoming Local 1422 Membership Meetings

Hotel Maintenance Painters union Local 1422 will hold general membership meetings the following Thursdays at 4pm, President Declan Tracey has announced. Read more...

Two HTC Members at Rivers Casino Save a Life with CPR

On Friday, January 13th, 2023, Rivers Casino security officer and HTC member Genetta Darling was standing at her post when she heard a commotion in the poker room. She turned around and saw a patron fall backwards off his stool; “I ran over, and immediately recognized the signs of cardiac arrest.” The 84-year-old patron was blue all over. Read more...

POLITICS & POWER

Short-Term Registration Law Is A Major Win in NYC’s Fight Against Illegal Hotels

New York City’s new Short-Term Registration Law – officially called Local Law 18 – is going into effect this year. The new law requires short-term rental hosts who use websites such as Airbnb and VRBO to register their apartments with the city – and prohibits the websites from processing payments for those who don’t. Read more...

ORGANIZING STORIES

HTC Member Lisa Sinishtaj on Organizing Resorts World Hudson Valley

Lisa Sinishtaj became a member of our Union in 2018. At the time, she was working at Resorts World Catskills, one of the ten gaming locations that have joined our ranks over the last decade. Read more...

HEALTH

Want To Get Rid of Pain with One Simple Exercise? Consider the McKenzie Method!

What separates physical therapy from many other medical specialties is that we help people deal with nagging injuries of the muscles, bones, and joints by using the body itself – practicing simple exercises, stretches, and posture education. Read more...

SCHOLARSHIPS

TRIBUTES

Tributes

We would like to remember all of our Union brothers and sisters who have passed away, their hard work, and inspiring spirits. Read more...