Union Wins 1st Local Hotel Vote in 13 Years

The Holiday Inn, scheduled for a major renovation in the TrizecHahn development, became the first major Los Angeles hotel in 13 years to be organized by a union, officials said Tuesday.

Workers voted overwhelmingly to be represented by Local 11 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union. the local represents 14 other Los Angeles hotels, but had not successfully organized a hotel staff since 1985.

Local 11 and its president, Maria Elena Durazo, have gained national attention through ongoing efforts to organize the mostly immigrant work force at area hotels and restaurants.

A four-year organizing drive at the New Otani in Little Tokyo has met stiff resistance from management.

By contrast, TrizecHahn management agreed to remain impartial during the union election. Labor activists say they hope other developers in Los Angeles follow their example.

The hotel is scheduled to close next year for renovations and reopen in 2000. TrizecHanh officials have agreed to offer jobs back, with seniority, to those laid off during the renovation.