Chateau Marmont issues the first union agreement

Chateau Marmont employees “overwhelmingly ratified” their first union agreement with the Hollywood hotspot Wednesday night in what UNITE HERE Local 11 described as a “historic breakthrough.”

The new agreement, effective immediately, comes after years of turmoil at the castle, which laid off almost 250 staff at the start of the Covid pandemic and has been the subject of staff grievances, lawsuits and boycotts over alleged sexual misconduct for years. and racial abuse. . Discrimination, among other misdemeanors.

Offers under the contract include an immediate 25% salary increase for returning non-tipped employees, free family health insurance for employees who work 60 hours or more per month, free legal advice on immigration, consumer and tenant issues, a union pension fund, and the recognition of June 16 as paid leave, to name a few.

André Balazs’ local only agreed to recognize the union in August, with negotiations between the union and UNITE HERE Local 11 ongoing over the past few months.

“I am so proud that my colleagues and I are returning to work at the Chateau Marmont, while providing our families with a safe and dignified life,” said Walter Almendarez, a UNITE HERE Local 11 union leader who served as a bell at served the castle. Marmont worked for 26 years. .

“Chateau Marmont employees are the heroes of the pandemic,” added UNITE HERE Local 11 Co-President Kurt Petersen. “After losing their jobs along with other hotel workers during the pandemic, they not only helped secure California’s landmark right to return to work, but will now return to work with an extraordinary union agreement.” We commend Chateau Marmont for the good faith negotiations and look forward to opportunities to build a fairer Los Angeles together.”