Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

AHLA opposes the pro-union PRO Act

The organization says the bill would hinder small businesses

AHLA opposes the pro-union PRO Act

SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS of the proposed Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2023 say it is needed to protect the rights of workers to organize under labor unions. However, the American Hotel & Lodging Association and others claim the PRO Act puts an undue burden on small businesses, including hotels.

The PRO Act would authorize penalties against employers that interfere with employees’ efforts to organize, according to Democratic Rep. Robert “Bobby” Scott of Virginia, one of the co-sponsors of the bill. Also, the bill would facilitate collective bargaining agreements, close loopholes that allow employers to misclassify employees as supervisors and independent contractors.


Other aspects of the PRO Act include protection for employees that experience retaliation for trying to organize a union, ensures that workers can collect “fair share” fees and authorizes a private right of action for violation of workers’ rights. It also prevents employers from interfering in union elections or holding captive audience meetings.

“Regrettably, for too long, workers have suffered from anti-union attacks and toothless labor laws that undermined their right to form a union,” Scott said. “As a historic number of Americans put their support behind labor unions, Congress has an urgent responsibility to ensure that workers can join a union and negotiate for higher pay, better benefits, and safer workplaces.”

Scott and Democrat Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, another bill sponsor, both said the PRO Act is needed to ensure that workers are not left out of the national economy’s recovery from the  pandemic.

“We have made really important progress recovering from the pandemic and building a better, fairer economy over the last few years—but the fact is too many workers are still getting left behind while the biggest corporations make a killing,” Murray said. “That’s why I’m glad to join my colleagues today in reintroducing the PRO Act to protect every worker’s right to organize and fight for better pay, quality health care, a safer workplace, and a secure retirement.”

AHLA was critical of the bill.

“The lodging industry has long provided a pathway for fulfilling careers and the means for employees and entrepreneurs to achieve the American Dream. Unfortunately, the PRO Act, reintroduced in Congress this week, would undermine workplace flexibility and upward mobility for workers and create extensive and costly regulatory burdens for small business owners,” the organization said in a statement. “While every worker has the right to freely join a union, the PRO Act would encroach upon worker privacy, subvert secret ballot elections and manufacture joint employer liability in an effort to impose a union on businesses and workers. We strongly oppose this damaging bill, which threatens to destroy jobs and assail businesses just as our economy is beginning to return to pre-pandemic normalcy.”

The National Federation of Independent Business also issued a statement against the PRO Act.

“This is an expansive piece of legislation that would dramatically upend long-standing employment laws in favor of labor unions at the expense of small businesses and their employees,” the NFIB statement said.

NFIB listed specific parts of the bill to which it was opposed:

  • Abolish state “Right to Work” laws that protect non-union employees from being required to contribute union fees if the employee is not a member of the labor organization.
  • Require employers to turn over the private contact information of their employees to union organizers before union elections.
  • Remove the right of workers to hold a secret ballot regarding if they should or should not join a union.
  • Include a stricter version of California’s “ABC” independent contractor law that forced that state to immediately carve out dozens of exceptions since the PRO Act has no such exceptions.
  • Allow labor unions to boycott small businesses with whom they have no affiliation.

In March, AHLA released its Front Desk Feedback survey that found that hotels are offering more incentives to attract new employees as a result of the labor shortage. They include higher wages, more benefits and greater scheduling flexibility.

More for you

G6 Hospitality Launches 24/7 Guest Support From August 1
Photo credit: G6 Hospitality

G6 launching 24x7 guest support on Aug. 1

Summary:

  • G6 Hospitality will launch 24x7 guest support on Aug. 1, expanding the current 18-hour window.
  • Escalations from phone, email and social media will be handled promptly by trained staff.
  • The service supports G6’s tech and service investments, including the AI-powered My6 app.

G6 HOSPITALITY, PARENT of Motel 6 and Studio 6, will launch a 24x7 customer support service for guests starting Aug. 1. The service extends the previous 18-hour window to full-day availability via phone, email and social media.

Keep ReadingShow less
Auro Hotels Showcases India Culture at TCMU Exhibit

Auro unveils 'India Cultural Corner' for children

Summary:

  • Auro Hotels opened the India Cultural Corner, where children can check in and explore Indian culture at The Children's Museum of the Upstate.
  • Families can engage with community art, activities and storytelling about daily life in India.
  • The exhibit runs through May 2026, offering interactive learning on Indian culture.

AURO HOTELS RECENTLY opened the India Cultural Corner at The Children's Museum of the Upstate in Greenville, South Carolina, offering a look into Indian stories for American families. The exhibition, held at The Grand Geo Hotel and running through May 2026, includes a hotel desk where children can check in and explore Indian culture through interactive activities.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. Firms Lose $2.4 Trillion by Skimping on Business Travel

Report: Business travel gaps cost U.S. firms $2.4T

Summary:

  • U.S. companies risk losing more than $2.4 trillion in sales due to underinvestment in business travel, says GBTA.
  • An 8.3 percent T&E increase could drive a 6 percent sales gain, despite post-COVID virtual meeting tools.
  • Current T&E spending is $294 billion—$24 billion short of the $319.1 billion needed for peak profitability.

U.S. COMPANIES ARE missing more than $2.4 trillion in potential sales due to underinvestment in business travel, according to a Global Business Travel Association report. Despite a post-pandemic rebound, travel and entertainment spending remains $66 billion below 2019 levels.

Keep ReadingShow less
AI threats in hospitality

Study: Cyberattacks on hotels to surge

Summary:

  • Around 66 percent of hotel IT and security executives expect more cyberattacks this summer, and 50 percent anticipate greater severity, according to VikingCloud.
  • Guest-facing systems most at risk include POS and payment technology at 72 percent, guest WiFi at 56 percent and front desk systems at 34 percent.
  • About 48 percent of executives lack confidence in their staff’s ability to detect and respond to AI-driven attacks and deepfakes.

APPROXIMATELY 66 PERCENT of hotel IT and security executives expect an increase in cyberattack frequency and 50 percent anticipate greater severity during the summer travel season, according to cybersecurity firm VikingCloud. In summer 2024, 82 percent of North American hotels experienced a cyberattack and 58 percent were targeted five or more times.

Keep ReadingShow less
Newly renovated Marriott Saddle Brook hotel in New Jersey, now managed by Stonebridge Cos.

Stonebridge to manage Marriott in Saddle Brook, NJ

Summary:

  • Stonebridge Cos. has added the Marriott Saddle Brook in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, to its full-service portfolio.
  • The renovated property is owned by Victory Worldwide LLC, led by CEO Anil Monga.
  • Located 20 miles from New York City, it is near the Meadowlands Sports Complex, Garden State Plaza and Hackensack University Medical Center.

STONEBRIDGE COS. RECENTLY added the 244-room Marriott Saddle Brook in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, to its full-service managed portfolio. The property is owned by Victory Worldwide LLC, led by CEO Anil Monga.

Keep ReadingShow less