Jun 3, 2005 6:00 pm US/Central
Guests Seek Protection From Hotel Horror Stories
CHICAGO (CBS 2) ―
In the wake of a strike at the Congress Hotel that has been going on for two years, the City of Chicago is considering a right-to-know ordinance that would help protect guests from hotel horror stories before they check in.
Many of the guests complained that they had no idea the workers were on strike at the Congress. They took their nightmare stories to City Hall on Friday.
The union that represents the striking workers is hoping to put pressure on the Congress.
CBS 2's Jim Williams reports on a proposal that would give tourists the right to know before they check in.
When you've been on strike for two years with no end in sight, you need all the leverage you can get.
So employees of the Congress Hotel want the City Council to force all hotels in Chicago to tell tourists when there's a strike before they make a reservation.
"The intent of this would be to have any hotel provide guests with accurate information so the guests can make their own decision," said Union President
Henry Tamarin.
The employees union has a simple claim: "because we're on the street...service at the Congress is bad."
Tourist Amy Guymer of Michigan told aldermen she agreed.
"Once I finally got into my room, the sheets were gross," Guymer said.
Many in Chicago's business community have long been critical of the Congress Hotel. One hospitality official on Friday called the Congress substandard.
Still, some in the business community are against the ordinance because they say all Chicago hotels could be hurt by it.
Strike or no strike, these business leaders insist tourists would still be well-serve at most Chicago hotels.
"Hotels in other cities with work stoppage situations have done a great job at providing quality guest experiences," said Mark Gordon with the Hotel Association.
"This is nothing more than the union to take a canon to kill a gnat," said Gerald Roeper with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
Some aldermen believe the ordinance would protect consumers.
"I think we as the City Council should pass this ordinance because what we're looking to do is notifying the consumer," said Ald. Rick Munoz.
Others see it as interference in a labor dispute.
"You have a right to strike, but don't use me in your strike," said Ald. Bernard Stone.
In responding to the criticism of the Congress Hotel, its attorney Peter Andjelkovich said, "The union went on strike two years ago. They've created an eyesore in front of the hotel, chanting and making negative remarks to guests. Now they've gone to the City Council. This tactic does nothing to resolve a labor conflict."
The council's finance committee deferred the ordinance, so city lawyers can study it some more.
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