COVID-19 Guarantees

Methodology

The grades presented here have been assigned by UNITE HERE Local 11–the union for more than 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona–based on the following methodology. Four key criteria were developed that relate to the safety and welfare of workers and the public. For each of the key criteria listed below, a hotel was given 1 point if, based on the information available, it met the standard and 0 points if it did not. The points were tabulated and grades were assigned as follows: A total of 4 points merited an “A” grade. 3 points merited a “B” grade. 2 points merited a C” grade. 1 point merited a “D” grade. 0 points merited a “F” grade.

• Enforceable COVID-19 safety rights, negotiated with worker representatives and enforceable by workers through a contractual grievance procedure, covering at least the following areas:
  • Employee health and safety (e.g. social distancing, face coverings and other PPE)
  • Safe practices for guests (e.g.plexiglass dividers, face coverings, safe practice instructions, procedures where guests exhibit COVID-19 symptoms or are COVID-19 positive)
  • Safety and hygiene protocols (e.g. hand sanitizing stations, paid breaks for handwashing, protocols for cleaning commonly used equipment, disinfection of chairs and table after each guest, plumbing and HVAC inspections)
  • Room cleaning standards (e.g. use of EPA registered antimicrobial products, suspension of incentives for guests to decline cleaning, no cleaning of rooms when guests are present, rooms left vacant for 24 hours between guests where feasible, minimal use of vacuums; mandatory HEPA filters on vacuum)
  • Staffing and operations (e.g. dedicated and trained public space cleaning teams, procedures to ensure social spacing and thorough cleaning in restaurants, bars, cafeterias and other areas)
  • Testing, screening, illness and contact tracing for COVID-19 cases
  • Mandatory employee training on COVID-19 safety

• Healthcare coverage, guaranteed in an agreement with worker representatives, so workers and their families have the care they need during the pandemic.
  • Healthcare is also guaranteed for employees who have just returned to work

• Safe recall rights so experienced employees can return to work without pressure to do so, including an enforceable agreement with worker representatives assuring that:
  • Experienced workers can return to their jobs when their positions become available, and
  • Workers with special COVID-19 vulnerabilities can decline offers to return to work but maintain recall rights (e.g. employee is 60 or older or the employee or a family member they care for has a health condition putting them at risk in event of infection)

• Workers have a voice on the job and the support they need to raise concerns about COVID-19 safety, including that:
  • Workers have the backing of a labor union that is formally recognized by their company and committed to COVID-19 safety for workers and customers, and
  • Workers have just cause termination protections and other contractually enforceable protections against abuse or retaliation for raising safety concerns