Striking Union Says Hotel Unwilling to Provide Comp

Monday, October 29, 2018 | 0

California regulators are investigating a San Diego hotel after a striking union reported complaints, included an unwillingness to provide workers’ compensation coverage, that it says it received from replacement workers.

Unite Here Local 30 photo

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the California Labor Commissioner on Oct. 10 launched an investigation into the Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter hotel. The state wouldn’t comment, but Unite Here, which went on strike at the hotel three days earlier, told the newspaper that it reported multiple violations on behalf of the replacement workers who were brought in after the strike started.

“Among the allegations made by the union are cash-only payments made to temporary workers, failure by a temp agency to obtain unemployment insurance, and an unwillingness to provide payroll deductions and workman’s compensation,” the Union Tribune reported.

Unite Here Local 30 spokesman Rick Bates reportedly told the newspaper that temporary workers who are staffing the hotel came to the union with concerns.

Marriott and the owner of the temporary staffing firm denied the allegations, and dismissed them as a bargaining tactic.