Philadelphia – In a unanimous decision, members of UNITE HERE Local 274 ratified their new three-year collective bargaining agreement between the union and the Holiday Inn Stadium located at 10th Street and Packer Avenue on Thursday, June 16, 2005.

The union membership was pleased with the additions to the contract, including the ability to pick up dependant or spousal health coverage for a low co-pay starting in the second year of the agreement, something they were never able to do before. Also, single coverage will continue to be paid by the employer with no co-pay to the member.

The UNITE HERE Philadelphia Joint Board Manager, Lynne Fox, was the union’s chief negotiator. The union and employer bargained for eight months, with health care the focal point for the union. In addition to the expanded health care, the union made significant gains in pension contributions as well as the ability to participate in the union’s 401(k) plan.

“I was hoping we didn’t have to strike to get this done, but we were ready to do that,” said union member Tawana Bullard, who works in the laundry department at the hotel. “I am glad we did not have to do it and still got everything we wanted without skipping our raises.”

Wages were increased a total of 13% for the contract and members will be paid their raises retroactively. Additionally, the union made many gains in beneficial contract language and working conditions including room drop scenarios for housekeepers.