In a move that would have seemed unimaginable even a year
ago, the four unions that work inside the Convention Center will receive the
Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association's highest award for their role in
improving the hospitality business in Philadelphia and at the center.
Sharing the honors with the unions at the association's
annual awards event in December will be the Convention Center Authority's
board, chaired by Gregory J. Fox.
Fox and the board members heard the news at Friday
morning's monthly meeting from Greg Stafford, general manager of the Inn at
Penn and president of the hotel association.
"The positivity at the center" has led to a
"windfall of short-term bookings," Stafford said. Stafford said hotel
bookings are higher than projected last year.
In May, four of the six unions working at the center
signed a new customer-satisfaction agreement designed to correct hassle and
cost issues that had been driving away repeat business.
Two unions, representing carpenters and Teamsters, did
not sign on time, according to the board, and are not working in the building.
A hearing before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board on the issue is set for
Oct. 14.
Members of the Carpenters and Teamsters unions were
protesting outside during Friday's meeting. Edward Coryell, who heads the
Carpenters, is on the center's board. "No comment," he said when
asked about the honor bestowed on the other unions.
The unions being honored represent laborers, riggers,
electricians, and stagehands.
Stafford also weighed in on the debate over whether the
city's two tourism agencies - one marketing to conventions and the other to
leisure travelers - should be merged.
Maybe later, he said, but for now, the agencies are
working well together in the entire hospitality sector. "It's critical
that we stay the course," he said. "We're winning."
Source: Philly.com
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