Huffington Post: Hotel Industry Spins Wage Hikes as 'Extreme' While CEOs Rake in Millions
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-bottari/hotel-industry-spins-wage_b_7058634.html
Mary Bottari -- Co-written with Jody Knauss
Hotels are making a killing. Occupancy rates are exceeding pre-recession highs, and are expected to reach record levels in 2016. Profits per room are up over 11 percent this April compared to April 2014 and the average daily rate for a room is almost 13 percent higher than it was a year ago. Executive salaries have skyrocketed.
But the little-known trade association representing this robust $163 billion dollar industry is a major force fighting behind the scenes on Capitol Hill and in statehouses and courtrooms across the country to keep workers wages low.
On Wednesday, April 15, the same day that hundreds of thousands of working people in over 200 cities are expected to participate in the largest-ever mobilization of underpaid workers, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) which represents the 1.8 million-employee U.S. lodging industry will join forces with the National Restaurant Association to ask Congress to block a federal minimum wage increase, shrink the number of workers eligible for employer-provided health care insurance, and challenge the National Labor Relations Board ruling protecting the rights of franchise workers.
Condemning $15 "Extreme Wages," as CEO's Rake In Millions
The American Hotel & Lodging Association is the trade group for companies in the hotel industry, including chains, independent hotels, hotel management companies and industry suppliers. AHLA's board includes members from major hotel and resort companies, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Omni, and others. The well-compensated heads of those hotels include:
CEO Christopher Nassetta, Hilton Worldwide, who made $9.9 million in 2014;
CEO Arne Sorenson, Marriott Hotels, who made $14.9 million last year; and
CEO Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt Hotels, who made a paltry $6.3 million last year.
FULL story at link.
= new reply since forum marked as read
She was there for over 11 years, and had received raises in the first few years to the point she was at a whopping $1.25 over the state minimum wage.
The first increase in the minimum wage (3 years ago) saw her wage remain stagnant so she was only .25c above minimum.
The recent increase to $9 per hour saw her pay also increase ............. to $9 per hour.
11+ years and making minimum wage.
Now the hotel is running >80% full every day (record occupancy), and room rates have increased from an average of $90 to well over $140.
And they're paying their long term employees minimum wage.
She just lost her job yesterday due to absences, having suffered serious health issues the last 18 months (most with a doctor excuse), but its not like she will suffer a pay cut on a new job.
