Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - As the ongoing labor dispute between unionized workers at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo and the hotel, owned and operated by developer Douglas Jemal, continues, union leaders have called for a boycott of the hotel until an agreement has been reached on a contract for the workers.
Luke Sills, who has led the effort at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo and lost his job two months ago, says Jemal and hotel management have still refused to settle with the union, and have refused to reinstate the fired workers and begin bargaining. This despite being issued a rare bargaining order from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which would compel the hotel to recognize the union and start bargaining in good faith.
"We are asking people to cancel their reservations, if they've already made them. If they're planning to travel to Buffalo in the future or near future, we are asking them to not book at this hotel. And we are reaching out to groups that would normally hold conferences at the Hyatt Regency, and asking them to take the hotel out of consideration," said Sills of the boycott on Monday outside the downtown hotel.
Sills says there have already been a number of groups who have agreed to support the boycott of the Hyatt Regency Buffalo, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
"They were actually here a year ago when workers were being fired for trying to organize a union. They were here when it was happening, and at the time they were disgusted at what was happening at the hotel, disgusted by how management was treating their workers," Sills said. "They sent us this statement: 'We have been discussing our annual progress meeting for 2028, and everyone loved Buffalo. Unfortunately, as I stated on record [with the hotel], we won't be holding anything at the Hyatt in Buffalo until this is settled. If, by some miracle, Jemal has a change of heart and things work out there, or you do get an agreement some way, please let us know and we will get that location back into their rotation.' We're very proud to have them supporting us, and this what we're going to be asking other groups."
Along with the support of other groups locally and nationwide, locally elected officials are taking a stand with Hyatt Regency Workers United.
"We're making a statement as leaders here in Buffalo that we are absolutely, without a doubt supportive of this measure right now. I, as an elected official, come to this hotel all the time for events and things. Well, I'm saying it wholeheartedly that I am not going to re-enter this hotel until this is straightened out. And I know I'm not the only one," said State Assemblyman Jon Rivera. "Not only did the IBEW make that statement, but I'm sure that there are countless other organizations and entities supporting this effort right now."
Rivera adds this is not the way things are going to get done any longer with workers wishing to unionize being mistreated by their employers.
"The days of just enriching the already super wealthy, just so they can make a few more dimes on the backs of workers, is over. We are not going to stand for it anymore," Rivera said. "I stand not only with this organization, not just with Workers United, not just with the effort they have going on here, with Starbucks, with everything. But at the end of the day, organized labor is going to be together with this. It's going to be total solidarity. We are going to stand every step of the way with this group, and not only are we going to do it until this is settled, but we're going to keep on fighting that fight, because more hotels in Buffalo are going to be organized."
Also supporting the efforts of Hyatt Regency Workers United is Erie County Democratic Chair Jeremy Zellner.
"It's not OK to fire people who are trying to organize a union. It's not OK to break a union, hire some out-of-town firm to come in here and harass the employees, including the Employee of the Year, and firing him. It's unacceptable. We're not going to tolerate it in Buffalo, and we're here to stand and fight with Workers United until the end," Zellner said.
Gary Bonadonna Jr. president of Workers United Upstate NY and VT strongly feels the message needs to be very clear: There has to be accountability on behalf of employers, and when they break the law and union bust, there are consequences.
"This hotel, this developer - Douglas Jamal - developers like him who fire people and union bust, when they have their hand out and they want public money, there needs to be a requirement for labor peace. There needs to be an agreement between the union and the employer that there's a smooth process that employers cannot fight the union, fire people. It's a win-win for everyone. It's a win for the workers, it's a win for the business, a win for the community," said Bonadonna Jr. "You need to protect that investment of public money. So the labor piece, it establishes a fair process for unionizing, because these labor laws are so notoriously weak, and that's why our union, we're throwing our full weight and support behind this boycott, and to show that in Buffalo, New York, there are consequences for employers who break the law and union bust."
Workers at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo began organizing a union in the summer of 2024. In response, they were met with a vicious anti-union campaign that included the unlawful termination of three pro-union hotel baristas, threats of retaliation, and a campaign of fear and intimidation aimed at discouraging the hotel’s largely-immigrant workforce.