Contract talks between the local hotel union and 14 large D.C. hotels ended abruptly last night as negotiators for the hotels refused to increase their pay and benefits offer, complicating efforts to avoid a strike before the presidential inauguration next week.
Unite Here Local 25 officials have said they will take action, possibly including a strike, if there is no new contract by Saturday.
Union members rallied last month to demand a new contract with 14 D.C. hotels.
(Katherine Frey -- The Washington Post)
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The two sides have reached agreement on some minor issues involving working conditions but reached no accord on the union's access to workplaces or on future pay and benefits for hotel workers. The talks ended about 8:30 p.m., after about three hours of negotiations.
"I'm not encouraged," said John A. Boardman, executive secretary-treasurer of Local 25.
"They need to get out of the stratosphere," said Peter Chatilovicz, a lawyer representing the Hotel Association of Washington's bargaining unit, in reference to the union's demands for wage and benefit increases. "We are willing to be reasonable."
Management representatives have said the hotels will remain open even if there is a strike, using managers and replacement workers to make beds and serve banquet meals. They have lined up workers from other hotels to fill in for striking employees.
The union argues that hotels would have a hard time managing the influx of visitors during inauguration time with replacement workers.
For example, both union and hotel officials have said the highly choreographed task of banquet service might challenge replacement workers. Dozens of regular waiters and cooks have worked together for years on the art of simultaneously serving thousands of hot meals in a crowded ballroom.
Moreover, Boardman said, employees of large hotels that handle inaugural events, such as the Hilton Washington and the Marriott Wardman Park, generally have background checks before they are allowed to serve at an event hosting the president or other top officials. The checks usually consist of running Social Security numbers through various databases.
Security clearances usually take about two weeks, Boardman said. "And if you don't take time to do it, you could be putting someone on the floor who hasn't been cleared."
Without specifically addressing security procedures, Chatilovicz said the hotels are working through any such issues and will be staffed if there is a strike.
Inauguration week is extremely lucrative for union members; they are paid double for work on Jan. 20 and typically receive overtime pay and tips.
Banquet waiters, many of whom normally earn $25 an hour for a short but intense workday, could miss a 10-hour shift Jan. 20 that could pay up to $500.
