Local 483 Workers Adopt 6-Year Contract Strategy

Pacific Grove, CA. May 26, 2015 — The pattern was set in January of this year by their Union, UNITE HERE Local 483. This plan has been agreed to at the Hilton Garden Inn, Old Capital Club, Hyatt Regency Monterey, Highlands Inn, and now Asilomar Conference Grounds.

Seeking job security, benefits, and opportunity, Local 483 have opened early for the first time five major contracts, which were set to expire in the summer. These agreements cover close to 800 workers and use a new plan referred to as a “Bucket Approach”.

This pathway provides a set annual dollar amount agreed upon by the parties and amounting to $5.05 over the period of the agreement. Each year the Union makes the sole choice of how much to allocate to provisions of the contract. For example, in August 2016, the parties agreed to +$.085/hour. Members could decide to put $0.40/hour to wages, $0.40/hour to insurance, and +$0.05/hour toward their retirement plan.

The Union’s negotiator Leonard O’Neill stated, “It’s a unique opportunity for labor peace while providing members with more flexibility and control over their annual monetary destiny”. O’Neill also noted that the Union is negotiating with a new food service company at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which covers over 50 workers.

He also noted that in Santa Cruz, the Union secured a 5-year agreement after a 2-day strike. The Strike only saw 1 worker, out of 105, cross the picket line.   The pact includes an increase in wages of +$1.75/hour, a $600/$300 bonus, additional paid holiday, new health plan with family coverage after 1 year, and a pension funds increase of 11%. Workers will also have a chief shop steward, and a record showing their vacation and sick leave accrual in their paychecks. 

UNITE HERE Local 483 represents over 1,200 Hospitality workers around the area.