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The hotel’s decision has prompted local building trade unions and other organizations including Pittsburgh City Council and the Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania to refrain from using the Hilton Hotel for any activities. “The success of our city and of our region depends on the quality of life we are able to offer to our citizens,” said all nine members of Pittsburgh City Council in a recent letter to Hilton Hotel General Manager Tim Zugger. “For many Pittsburgh area residents, quality of life begins with quality employment. “This region has some of the finest contractors and construction workers in the country, and there is no shortage of skilled craftsmen and contractors who can perform the type of renovation work currently underway and planned at your hotel. For Pittsburgh to grow, we need our major employers and service providers such as the Hilton to understand the importance of supporting local workers and the local community.” The Hilton Hotel is undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation project at its Downtown location. Rather than utilize any one of numerous qualified local contractors, hotel management has brought in an out-of-state contractor which is not fully supportive of local union building trade workers. Such action is viewed as undermining the local community and standard of living of the local building trades. “Given the amount of business the construction industry and organized labor brings to Downtown hotels, such an action by Hilton management is very shortsighted,” said Jason Fincke, executive director of the Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania. “I commend the Allegheny County Labor Council for its decision to relocate its annual meeting at such a late date and I recommend that the general public, including area contractors and construction workers, support and embrace this decision. “Although we live in a global economy, it behooves
local businesses to support local contractors and workers,
particularly those who provide such valuable services
as the men and women of the building trades.” The Allegheny County Labor Council annual dinner is expected to be attended by more than 700 dignitaries and guests. Scheduled to be honored this year are AFSCME District 84 Director Rich Caponi as “Labor’s Man of the Year” and Pennsylvania Secretary of Labor and Industry Stephen Schmerin, who will receive a “Labor Community Appreciation Award.” “Pittsburgh and Allegheny County should be proud of its labor heritage and its efforts to protect and recognize the value of working men and women,” said ACLC President Jack Shea. “The building trades have developed outstanding relationships with area contractors who recognize the value and skill these workers can bring to any size and type of construction project. Given the hotel’s decision to utilize non-local contractors and to not fully integrate local building trade workers in its remodeling efforts, we could not hold our dinner as planned.” The dinner will be held instead on April 13 at the Convention Center beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. with the program to start at 6:30 p.m. Persons interested in attending can order tickets by calling 412-281-7450. For more information contact: Jack Shea at (412) 281.7450
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