Home Industries Hospitality & Tourism Omni Providence Hotel, union workers ratify contract

Omni Providence Hotel, union workers ratify contract

By

Jacquelyn Voghel

-

09/27/2024

image_2024-09-27_121443867 — UNITE HERE Local 26 workers at the Providence Omni Hotel this week ratified a new contract with the hospitality chain, following a strike authorization vote last month. / PBN FILE PHOTO/STEPHANIE ALVAREZ EWENS

PROVIDENCE – Following a strike authorization vote, unionized workers at the Omni Providence Hotel this week ratified a new contract. With the agreement, workers will secure pay increases and improved health care benefits, Unite Here Local 26 said in a statement released Thursday night, among other improvements. Local 26, which represents around 200 workers at

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PROVIDENCE – Following a strike authorization vote, unionized workers at the Omni Providence Hotel this week ratified a new contract. With the agreement, workers will secure pay increases and improved health care benefits, Unite Here Local 26 said in a statement released Thursday night, among other improvements. Local 26, which represents around 200 workers at the hotel, described its membership vote as "overwhelmingly" in favor of the agreement. Unionized workers at the Providence Omni Hotel have until now been without a contract since Jan. 31, 2024, when the previous agreement expired. As negotiations stalled, 83% of Unite Here Local 26 members in September voted to authorize a strike. The authorization did not ultimately lead to a strike, but permitted Local 26 leaders to enact one at any time.

In the Local 26 announcement, union members described anticipated impacts of the new contract.

"With the pay raise, I will no longer have to work two to three jobs at a time, seven days a week," said Shakira Abad Payano, a room inspector at the Providence Omni Hotel. "I can spend more time with my children, and we can go on vacation every year."

George Cook, a banquet Houseperson at the local Omni, said that after an arduous effort, he and his coworkers "were ready to do whatever it took to win. "I’m happy that we’re able to get the best contract we’ve ever had, with wage increases that will help us pay our rent and take care of our families," Cook added. The Omni did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Workers at the Omni Boston Seaport Hotel and Omni Parker House, also in Boston, remain in negotiations with the hospitality chain. In Greenwich, Conn., Unite Here Local 217 members at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich also ratified a contract, the union announced on Tuesday, which includes first-year wage increases of up to 15%; health care benefit improvements; and a pension. At this location, 133 workers held a walkout and strike over Labor Day Weekend. Jacquelyn Voghel is a PBN staff writer. You may reach her at Voghel@PBN.com.