Dear CLTA Conference Attendees:
We are sad to have learned that our upcoming Conference will take place in the middle of a labor dispute between the Santa Clara Hyatt Regency and a Labor Union called UNITE HERE. This is a complicated dispute involving the mechanics around how to hold a fair election in order to determine whether the union will represent the hotel workers or they will remain a non-union facility.
On February 23, 2011, the union called for a total boycott of the hotel, including conferences like ours. The reality is that due to CLTA’s contractual obligations, if we cancel the conference now, CLTA will take an unsustainable loss, and the hotel will earn the same profit since CLTA will have to pay the hotel in total for our contracted number of rooms and meals even if we do not use any of the rooms or meal services. Please know that if you elect to cancel your lodging reservations at the hotel due to the job action, CLTA will suffer severe penalties since the association is legally responsible for a bank of rooms to be occupied by the participants or they will be billed to CLTA.
We have contacted the union to see how we can support them without canceling the conference. They have asked that we cancel the event, which as we have explained will force CLTA into financial ruin, and subject it to legal action that will be difficult to endure by the organization.
This is a difficult moral issue for all of us, including CLTA’s leadership, board members and staff since the majority of us are union members and sympathize wholly with the generally low-paid hotel workers and unequivocally support their right to unite and be in a better position to negotiate a fair contract.
CLTA is exploring ways to support the workers at the hotel and to support Unite Here to gain the right to represent these workers and will be sharing suggestions during the conference. For example, as individuals, we may choose to make a donation to Unite for the purpose of supporting the Santa Clara Hyatt workers, be generous in our gratuities to hotel staff and make sure to inform them that we are in solidarity with their cause and have resolved as an organization and individually to support them even beyond the dates of our conference. Although CLTA is required to pay for its bank of hotel rooms and for meals that are part of our meal plan including the Friday no host lunch, participants can avoid spending additional funds at the hotel.
In the event that Unite Here is picketing during our conference, we have arranged for an alternative entrance to the hotel so that we do not have to cross their picket line.
We understand that each of us needs to follow our own conscience. However, we hope that after carefully considering these difficult issues, you will agree that attending the CLTA Conference does not compromise your moral values. We look forward to seeing you in Santa Clara where we are more than open to engaging in a dialogue regarding the issues addressed in this communication and how we individually and collectively can support those who will be serving us during the conference.
Thank you and safe travels to Santa Clara.
Paula Hirsch
CLTA Conference Coordinator
