Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: 2011 Conference

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Mar 25, 2011, at 3:29 PM, Craig Ragland wrote:

> One challenge is that its so difficult to know what the labor
> situation may be like over a year in advance of the actual event when
> we have to enter into the contract with the hotel.

One way is to (1) choose an already unionized hotel, or one where the  
staff has voluntarily rejected a union (sometimes hard to determine),  
and (2) find out when their contract is to be renegotiated. If the  
contract period covers the dates of the conference, you are probably  
safe. If it expires a month or so before, it's more iffy.

I've emailed friends with union connections to see what is what with  
this dispute but none know this union so it may not help. There is  
always the possibility that the dispute will be ended by the time of  
the conference.

One idea is to offer to have conference attendees wear union  
supporting pins. Money talks louder but having a visible presence  
inside the hotel might make management even more nervous and be more  
supportive to the staff -- who still get tips if there are guests.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Former AFL-CIO chapter president and state-wide board member.