Crowne Plaza Members’ Perseverance Leads to Strong Contract

Crowne Plaza Teamsters 856 members celebrate the ratification of their new contract on July 2, 2015

Crowne Plaza Teamsters 856 members celebrate the ratification of their new contract on July 2, 2015

Crowne Plaza SFO Teamsters 856 members are celebrating the ratification of their new collective bargaining agreement this month after enduring multiple management changes and sales of the hotel which resulted in challenging negotiations.

“I’m so happy,” said Shop Steward Ana Guzman. “Our benefits are secure now – this is why we work, to provide for our families.”

The new contract, which is in effect until June 2018, includes significant wage increases, a ratification bonus, pension improvements, and substantial increases to the employer’s contribution toward health and welfare benefits. The new agreement also extends recall rights from twelve to 24 months in cases of layoff and improves grievance procedure timelines.

Perhaps most importantly though, the contract includes strong successorship language that ensures that the collective bargaining agreement will remain in effect and additionally that all bargaining unit members must be retained in the event of a future sale or transfer of the property.

For Guzman, a twelve-year employee who has outlasted many sales and transfers of the hotel, the successorship language offers a sense of stability.

“We’ve seen so many management changes – and now our contract is guaranteed for the next three years.”

“It’s wonderful knowing that we have affordable healthcare and guaranteed sick leave, vacation days, and increased pension contributions,” she continued.

More than 60 Teamsters 856 members work at the Crowne Plaza as housekeepers, bell staff, front desk, and clerical employees.

“Teamsters at the Crowne Plaza work exceptionally hard, and they persevered and hung on one more day than management to get a fair contract, ” said Teamsters 856 President Mike Lagomarsino who chaired negotiations. “I’m glad that we could deliver an agreement that provides economic gains and security.”