FAQ | Model Contract Clauses | Pledge to Stand in Solidarity

Union contracts with the following Philadelphia hospitality employers have EXPIRED.

Labor disputes are possible at any time:

  • Hilton Garden Inn Center City
  • Sheraton Downtown Philadelphia – ON STRIKE
  • The Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square
  • Sonesta Hotel Philadelphia
  • Hampton Inn Center City – ON STRIKE
  • Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District
  • Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing
  • Sheraton Hotel Philadelphia University City
  • OTG at Philadelphia International Airport, Terminals B and F.

Last year over 12,000 workers at hotels across the US and Canada went on strike after their contracts expired, directly impacting tourists and causing the cancellation or rescheduling of countless events. In Philadelphia, union hotel contracts have expired in Center City, where picket lines have already gone up at some hotels. A contract with a major food and beverage concessionaire at the Airport has also expired. Learn how to protect your visit or event from being disrupted by a strike with model protective language in your hotel contract.

FAQ about Labor Disputes:

What is a labor dispute?

A labor dispute can include picketing outside a workplace or a strike. During a strike, regular employees will not be there to scrub the toilets, change the sheets, cook the food, or take out the trash. Picket lines, which involve chanting, loud drumming, and other noise, may persist for 24 hours per day.

What can I do?

You can add model protective language to your event contracts to protect yourself in the eventuality of a labor dispute (see below). You can also show your support for hospitality workers by pledging to move your business out of hotels affected by strikes.

Model Protective Language

When it comes to event contracts, it makes sense to protect yourself and stay in control of your options.

Consider the following model contract clauses to help protect your event, ensure clean rooms, and allow you to relocate if necessary.

EXCUSED NON-PERFORMANCE DUE TO LABOR DISPUTE. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if performance hereunder would foreseeably involve [Group] in or subject it to the effects of a boycott, strike, lockout, picketing or other labor dispute and [Group] therefore withholds, delays or cancels performance, it shall have no liability there from, provided that [Group] may not withhold, delay or cancel performance based upon a labor dispute involving its own employees. In the event of a cancellation under this Section, neither [Group] nor its members shall have any future obligation under this Agreement, and any deposits or other payments made to the Hotel by [Group] or its members to reserve rooms or other space for use, and/or for services to be provided, shall promptly be refunded to [Group] or its members. This Section shall supersede all other provisions of this Agreement and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of [Group’s home state here].

In addition to the above, it would be helpful for the hotel to be required to disclose to the group any labor disputes, according to the following clause:

NOTIFICATION OF LABOR DISPUTE. The Hotel agrees to notify [your Group] in writing within ten (10) days after it becomes aware of any labor relations dispute involving the Hotel and its employees including, but not limited to, union picketing, the filing of an Unfair Labor Practice charge by a union, the expiration of a negotiated labor contract, an existing or impending strike or lockout or any other matter which could reasonably be construed as a labor-management relations dispute.

Notwithstanding any express or implied language in the contract to the contrary, from [start date of event] to [end date of event], the Hotel will:

  1. provide daily cleaning of all rooms occupied by guests of ;
  2. will not require that guests opt-in to daily housekeeping, not offer guests an option to decline daily housekeeping and not offer guests incentives to participate in a “Green Choice” or any similar program at the time of check-in or through the online reservation system;
  3. remove all advertising materials regarding “Green Choice” or similar incentive programs from guest rooms.

This contract establishes minimum cleaning standards. If either the Hotel, the State government or the local government requires more frequent cleaning standards than this contract, the more frequent cleaning standards will be followed during [organization]’s event between [start date and end date].

Respect Hotel Workers; Pledge to Stand in Solidarity

Sign up to join a growing movement of allies who pledge to support hotel workers during their fight to secure strong new union contracts. Add your name today!

I PUBLICLY PLEDGE TO STAND WITH UNITE HERE MEMBERS AND HONOR THEIR FIGHT! If workers are on strike or call for a boycott, I will not eat, sleep, meet at their hotel. I will relocate or cancel all events and overnight stays until workers secure a new union contract that provides the dignity and respect they deserve.

Sign the Pledge

© Copyright - UNITE HERE Philly