Posted on February - 16 - 2011
Labor dispute at The Westin Providence appears to be headed toward conclusion
PROVIDENCE – The long-running dispute between workers at The Westin Providence and the hotel’s management group may end Tuesday.
Members from the union Unite Here! Local 217 are voting Tuesday on an contract with The Procaccianti Group, which operates the hotel. The union said it planned to release the results of the vote and details of the contract during a news conference scheduled for Tuesday evening.
The union committee has unanimously recommended approval of the agreement, said Francis Engler, a union organizer working with Local 217.
The union and The Procaccianti Group have been locked in a bitter battle since the union’s contract ended in October 2009. Tempers further flared when The Procaccianti Group unilaterally raised health insurance costs for employees and subcontracted out some operations, a move which eliminated some of its members’ jobs, the union alleged.
Local 217 launched vocal protests, including picket lines outside the downtown hotel, and encouraged event organizers to boycott the hotel.
The union filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, which allowed the case to proceed.
A spokeswoman for the board previously told Providence Business News the hearing officer in the case had told the two parties to settle or face a hearing, as he would allow no more postponements.
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