HotelWorkers.org.uk

I accompanied an LHMU hotel organiser to a hotel where the union is close to securing a recognition agreement. I sat in the staff canteen and was able to talk to many of the workers and learn of their experiences. I spoke with housekeepers, porters, receptionists and food and beverage workers. This hotel used to be a Ritz Carlton 10 years ago and i was able to learn of the differences between then and now as it's owned by an international chain. Without exception each worker said that not only were the employment conditions worse but so was the service provided to guests.

For the last two days i've been in Sydney establishing contact with our Sister union the LHMU. I have had meetings with the officers and staff of the LHMU hotels organising team operating in Sydney and the state of New South Wales (NSW).

Phillip Nkosi began work as a waiter in a Sun International hotel in Johannesburg 24 years ago. For the last 22 years he has also been the Shop Steward representing and negotiating on behalf of his fellow workers. Phillip made the decision to become active in his union because he witnessed too much injustice and decided he couldn't stay quite on the sidelines. He has provided leadership ever since.

Sorry about the last couple of days. I had a malfunction followed by an electric storm that knocked out the power supply and the wi-fi - and it's supposed to be summer here!
Saccawu has been very busy trying to resolve their dispute with Sun International and are presently consulting with their members while the management's negotiating team reports back to their Board.

I have spent the day getting an understanding of the Hotel Sector here in (a very wet!) Johannesburg.I was very fortunate that two of our Brothers in SACCAWU met with me to give me the benefit of their experience. Lucas Ramatlhadi is the Administration Co Ordinator for SACCAWU and Mike Sikani is the National Education Secretary for the union. Both men are involved in the dispute with Sun International (about which more later) but found the time to assist me.

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Kevin's Blog
Submitted by Kevin Curran on Thu, 07/01/2010 - 17:17
Over the next 7 weeks I'll be visiting 5 different cities to learn how the changing ownership and structures of the global hotel sector are affecting human resource management (HRM) policies and procedures.
These changes continue to effect workers wages and conditions all over the world.

Taking the Strain?

Manual Handling Risks for women working in Hospiality

Thursday 22nd October
5pm
UNITE HOUSE
128 Theobald’s Road
Holborn
London WC1 X 8TN

Chair – Omosofe Ajakaiye
(UNITE Hotel Workers Branch)

Speakers

• Teresa MacKay (Regional Officer for women & equalities) – Inequality and workplace health.
• Marzena Cichon (London Citizens) – Health issues for migrant and agency workers.
• Susan Murray (UNITE National Safety Officer) – Risk Assessment and consultation with workers

Responses to our sample survey have revealed extensive health problems associated with housekeeping.

Housekeeping Survey Results (1)

IUF Version

Based on 35 Responses

• 88% said they have had pain or discomfort caused by or made worse by work.

• The part of job felt to be the cause of pain or discomfort

* Lifting/Carrying Supplies = 77%
* Lifting Mattress = 48%
* Tucking sheets = 35%
* Bending low to clean = 34%
* Reaching high to clean = 34%
Pushing Cart = 22%

• 65% regularly take pain medication

Se voce fala Portugues, trabalha pare hoteis, restaurantes ou qualquer emprego e quer falar com alguem em Portugues sobre seus direitos no trabalho e quer saber mais sobre o nosso sindicato UNITE THE UNION e o que ele pode fazer por voce....por favor contacte Yar Vieira da Silva no telefone 020.8800.4281 (ramal 267), ou latinamerica@tgwo.org.uk

The first findings of our "Stop the Hurt" Housekeepers Health Survey tell of huge problems within the Hotels sector.

90% of those surveyed say they have Health problems that have started after they started work in Housekeeping.

60% of those surveyed say they regularly take pain medication for their "on the job" problems.

46% of those surveyed say that within the past three months they have suffered pain in both knees because of the work that they do.

On 5th October we will present the full survey and discuss how to develop the next stage of our "Stop the Hurt" campaign.