Wage & Pension Increases, Health Insurance Maintained

Santa Cruz, CA: Union workers at the Santa Cruz Dream Inn voted Tuesday, November 30, to ratify a new union labor contract with the hotel. 91 percent of the voting members of UNITE HERE Local 483 approved the 4-year deal, which calls for up to $1.70 per hour in additional wages and benefits over the life of the contract. The workers will also receive a $100 signing bonus.

A tentative agreement reached November 23rd ended a contentious 8-month negotiation process, which included several public demonstrations at the hotel and the intervention of a Federal Mediator. The new contract covers 85 workers, including housekeeping, kitchen, dining, banquet, front desk, bell, and maintenance positions.

"It took us a while, but we ended up with a good total package to help our families. We kept our health plan. We got good raises, and some more in our pension fund," said Dream Inn housekeeper and mother of two, Martha Hernandez.

Local 483 Secretary-Treasurer Leonard O’Neill added, "We believe we’ve come to an agreement that helps the company promptly navigate some difficult economic times, maintains economic security for the workers and their families, and raises the union standards."

The 163-room Santa Cruz Dream Inn is owned jointly by Ensemble Investments and AEW Capital Management, LP. The hotel has been operated since April 2007 by California’s largest boutique hotelier, Joie de Vivre Hospitality.

Founded in 1937, UNITE HERE Local 483 represents 1,300 Monterey Bay area hospitality workers at two dozen hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, and golf courses.