financial assistance Follow

Just in (email, no link): David- We wanted to keep you updated on developments regarding the Hyatt staffing situation in Boston. Hyatt has released a new statement, included below, that covers the following points: ? All housekeepers affected by August staff reductions will be offered new full-time positions with United Service Companies at their previous rate of pay. [Hyatt is guaranteeing the rate of pay through the end of 2010. -ed.] ? Hyatt will extend healthcare coverage through March 2010 for the employees who choose to accept positions with United Service Companies. ? Affected housekeepers who wish to pursue a different employment path are being offered career services and training opportunities through a partnership Hyatt has formed with Manpower and Right Management. Employees opting to participate will receive a stipend equal to their Hyatt rate of pay through March 2010 or until they secure permanent jobs, whichever comes first. Also of note is a quote from Phil Stamm, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Boston: "We do, however, recognize and regret that we did not handle all parts of the transition in a way that reflects our organization's values," said Stamm. OK, this strikes me as very good news. Are they reinstating the laid-off workers? No. But they are now going well beyond previous offers -- they are guaranteeing jobs, and rates of pay, for over a year, and they are extending health care for at least several months. So credit where credit is due: good for Hyatt for confessing error, and moving toward doing the right thing. I think it's fair to say that the Governor's dramatic action has a lot to do with this. And I think it's therefore also fair to say that the Globe editorial condemning Patrick's action was dead wrong. Patrick went out on a limb, and he got results by doing so. Good for him. He could have made a statement "expressing concern," which is apparently what the Globe would have preferred. And exactly nothing would have happened. Hyatt's full release is on the flip. (Photo of Governor Patrick meeting with the housekeepers via the Globe) All housekeepers affected by August staff reductions at the three Hyatt hotels in Boston will be offered new full-time positions in the Boston market. The jobs, which will be provided by an affiliate of United Service Companies, will match the employees' previous Hyatt rate of pay through the end of 2010. The Boston Hyatt hotels will extend healthcare coverage through March 31, 2010 for the employees who choose to accept positions with United Service Companies, after which they will have the option to obtain health care benefits through their new employer. "We are committed to supporting all of our associates, especially when they are negatively affected by business decisions made necessary by the most difficult economic environment in decades," said Phil Stamm, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Boston and chair of a local Hyatt management task force formed to assist the displaced workers. "Every housekeeping employee who wants a job will have one. That's our promise." Affected employees who wish to pursue a different employment path are being offered career services and training opportunities through a partnership Hyatt has formed with Manpower and Right Management. Employees opting to participate in the career services and retraining program will receive financial support equal to their Hyatt rate of pay through March 2010 or until they secure permanent jobs, whichever comes first. "We're pleased to be able to support our employees with retraining and job search assistance provided by a highly respected employment and placement firm," said Stamm. "We are meeting with these individuals to fully explain their options, answer their questions and ease the transition," said Michael Hickey, general manager of Hyatt Regency Cambridge, also a member of the task force. "The task force we set up accomplished what we set out to do. We believe the creative solutions we're offering are responsive to the concerns expressed throughout our community, and are consistent with Hyatt's core values as well as our responsibility to manage our properties prudently in this very difficult economy." "We sincerely hope these efforts demonstrate the respect we have for our associates and renew the community's faith in Hyatt. Contrary to the way our actions have been characterized by many, we did attempt to implement this staffing change in a respectful manner and many of the assertions that have been made are false. We do, however, recognize and regret that we did not handle all parts of the transition in a way that reflects our organization's values," said Stamm.