Union Writing Contest

Since 2003, HTC has held an annual writing contest for high school students who have a parent who belongs to our union. Cash prizes are offered in two categories: essay and fiction/non-fiction narrative. In addition, one category winner is selected as the best overall entry, for a top prize of $3,000. Other prizes of up to $1,500 are awarded for second place, third place, and honorable mentions in each category. An impartial committee of judges determines the winning entries.

Support for the writing contest is provided by Laurel Rubin, who is the daughter of Donald Rubin. Ms. Rubin is the granddaughter of Jay Rubin, who was the founder and first president of HTC. The writing contest was instituted by the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation to promote creativity among HTC members’ children and to empower them to develop their full potential.

Rules and entry procedures for the writing contest appear each year in the spring edition of Hotel Voice and on our website. 

Click here for the 2022 Writing Contest winners.

Laurel Rubin on the union's writing contest:

"I am pleased to continue my father's commitment to the Hotel Trades Council's annual writing contest. We strongly believe in the union movement and its members. I hope that this competition serves as a good way to honor the memory of my grandfather, Jay Rubin, who founded HTC in 1939, and to remember my father's dedication to organized labor."