This year, hotel contracts with UNITE HERE, the union that represents hotel workers, have expired or will expire soon in several cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto and Waikiki.

The hotels involved in negotiations this year will work hard to reach an agreement that provides unionized hotel employees with the job security and benefits they need to maintain a good quality of life and also allows our industry to be competitive and deliver quality service at a reasonable price to our guests. Throughout 2006, the hotels are looking forward to working with local unions to find a solution that best meets everyone's needs.

In the meantime, we believe our hotel employees and customers should have all the facts about the issues driving these negotiations and the union's "Hotel Workers Rising" campaign. This special section of our Web site provides you with the full story regarding the contract negotiations and the union's organizing agenda. Within this section, you will find information and updates on the contract negotiations taking place across the country, the union's effort to increase membership, and resources for meeting planners so they can make informed decisions about upcoming events they are having in hotels across the country.

Please check back frequently or sign up for our mailing list so that you can get accurate and timely information on the labor situation facing our industry.