| It’s the news no hotelier wants to hear – | | | | Inefficient performance is one thing – guest |
| union staff have voted to walk out. Not only do you | | | | safety, entirely another. |
| have to find interim help that’s willing to cross | | | | If your hotel business has union workers, chances are |
| picket lines; you have to find guests who are also | | | | you’ll face a contract negotiation standstill at |
| willing to do so. | | | | some point. In many cases, misunderstandings and ill |
| A work strike could cost your company more than | | | | feelings can be offset with a strong internal |
| just dollars. As with the case of the downtown | | | | communications process. For Sheraton workers, the |
| Chicago Sheraton hotel locations facing such a strike | | | | issues were benefits cuts and job losses. While |
| the last week of October 2009, staffing shortages | | | | it’s unknown how well Sheraton’s |
| could seriously impede your business as usual. In the | | | | management handled each issue, it stands to reason |
| case of the Sheraton unionized workers, over 1,000 | | | | that an informed employee is a more content |
| staffers were set to vote on whether to walk. | | | | employee. |
| Finding replacement help – adequate replacement | | | | Work with your hotel insurance broker to discuss the |
| help – is a crippling task. What’s more, | | | | processes of dealing with union workforces. In most |
| interim staff have a higher risk associated with them. | | | | cases, the hotel insurance broker will recommend a |
| Because they’re not familiar with your business | | | | risk management assessment or consultation, which |
| model, there’s a good chance your guest | | | | could reduce significantly your exposure to |
| relations ratings could suffer. Not to mention the | | | | strike-related losses. Also, if your workforce is in |
| variables you can’t control – temporary | | | | danger of striking, check with your hotel insurance |
| employee unreliability, theft, and the chance that | | | | broker to understand your coverage options and |
| these employees weren’t vetted properly. | | | | additional coverage requirements during any strike. |