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Roaster, Just Sitting there, Plump and Contented |
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by John R. Hendrie, CEO Hospitality Performance, Inc., July 2005
Right there, �above the fold� of Tuesday�s New York Times (7/26/05), an article, headlined, �Ambitions are Fueling a Division of Labor�, an ominous message was delivered to Hospitality operators. Two major Unions (SEIU and the Teamsters) have withdrawn from Labor�s main Federation, the AFL-CIO. Two others, the United Food and Commercial Workers and our own UNITE HERE, are not only boycotting the annual convention but also have declared their plans to depart the AFL-CIO, as well. These moves indicate a stormy road ahead for the Hospitality Industry. Why, one might ask? The schism within the Federation revolves around strategy and the perceived lack of leadership. As an outsider, I would have to agree with the four Unions and their platform. They are well funded and passionate about their message and direction. They also are exceptionally talented in organizing the workplace. It boils down to increasing membership in the most viable sector, Service. At this point in the Labor Movement it is not about maintaining political clout, delivering historically for the Democratic Party, or remembering yesteryear. Numbers have dwindled, the manufacturing base has been decimated, and the Democrats lost. It is about the numbers, and Hospitality represents that fat roaster, just sitting there, plump and contented. We are the Service Sector, and we cannot move our operations offshore. And, where does the Union message resonate the best � with the �disenfranchised�. Does your Workforce represent the ideal Union profile to be organized:
I find the unpreparedness and complacency within our Industry astounding. The major players spend an enormous amount of money protecting their non-union status or fighting organizing attempts, yet what readily appears on today�s horizon is dismissed by most others. And, they have no excuse, except for perhaps arrogance or wishful thinking, What you need to do right now is the following:
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Contact:
John R. Hendrie, CEO Hospitality Performance, Inc. www.hospitalityperformance.com 978-346-4387 |