Hauppauge, New York

In April 2012, Local 947, United Service Workers Union of Journeymen and Allied Trades (Union) began communicating with employees at a Hyatt Hotel operated by Remington Lodging & Hospitality, regarding unionization of the housekeeping department. Managers opposed the campaign and began interrogating employees about union activity, spreading false information regarding the Union, and threatening to dismiss employees who supported the Union.

Prior to Remington’s operation of the hotel, housekeeping services had been subcontracted, but when Remington took over, it initially cancelled the contract.   However, according to the Court, in response to the organizing campaign, Remington renewed and used the housekeeping contract as a way to replace its internal housekeeping staff, who were supportive of the Union.   

Further, in December 2012, Remington distributed literature to its employees regarding their compensation. One employee pointed out errors in the literature to a manager and criticized the content to one of her co-workers. A short while later the employee was discharged.

In November 2012, the Union filed charges with the NLRB’s Brooklyn office. Following an investigation, the regional office found merit and issued a complaint. In March 2013, Remington began making unconditional offers of re-employment to employees on a rolling basis.   The Region then sought immediate reinstatement of employees in district court.  An Administrative Law Judge agreed that Remington had violated the National Labor Relations Act and recommended the same relief sought from the court.