Union’s Campaign at New Otani

The Dec. 5 article concerning the New Otani Hotel and Garden and efforts by Local 11 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union to organize 285 of our workers correctly assesses the union’s “corporate campaign” strategy. The union is trying to exert economic pressure on investors to force New Otani management to hand the workers over without a federally sponsored secret-ballot election. (We have twice submitted written requests to the National Labor Relations Board for such a vote--most recently, four months ago--only to have our requests denied.)

Local 11 seeks to increase its membership (and dues) among a New Otani work force that is very stable and harmonious, with an annual turnover of approximately 10%, compared to a national average of 60%. The wages and benefits at the New Otani have been competitive with other union and nonunion hotels in Los Angeles since the hotel opened in 1977. Our workers can access either PacifiCare or Kaiser for medical coverage and are able to take advantage of a 401(k) program, offered in addition to a yearly service bonus.

It should be up to our 285 workers to decide for themselves the issue of union representation in the privacy of a polling booth, not the union, hotel management, hotel investors, members of the City Council, the mayor, school board officials and others described in your article.

KENJI YOSHIMOTO

Exec. VP and General Manager

New Otani Hotel

Los Angeles