Union Window Dressing

September 3, 2002

Dear Editor:

I am very grateful to Mr. Peterson for confirming what many of us have known all along: it is really the union that is behind the Living Wage campaign in Santa Monica. ("Putting Non-Union Hotel's 'Specious Argument' to Bed," August 28)

His reply is proof in print that the union simply wants the ordinance enacted as a lever to force unionization of Santa Monica hotels. The readers should know that Local 11 (HERE), the union that tries to influence Santa Monica's political decisions, is not even based in their city.

Mr. Peterson recognizes the fact that hourly wages in many of the non-unionized hotel properties in Santa Monica already are at or above the proposed ordinance. While he talks about the "benefits" of being a union member he fails to mention that one of the "benefits" his members receive is the requirement that they pay $30 per month in union dues.

He also conveniently neglects to list numerous benefits that Casa del Mar offers to its employees. Among those omitted are a 401k plan with a generous employer match formula and an employee and family emergency fund.

Mr. Peterson, as head of Local 11, does not dispute that "his" union hotels are exempt from paying the proposed living wage, and that many of "his" employees are making less than the proposed wage minimum of $10.50 per hour. He knows the facts; he was an integral part of the contract negotiations.

The listed guaranteed wage increases are window dressing. Housekeepers and dishwashers working at the unionized Viceroy Hotel currently earn $9.35 and will not reach the $10.50 benchmark until December 2003! Let us not forget it is the union and SMART who deem that $10.50 per hour plus benefits is the absolute minimum compensation acceptable for persons choosing to work and live in Santa Monica.

Mr.Peterson is paid to increase Local 11 membership. That is his job! It is all about generating income for the union from dues and not necessarily what is fair and just for the employees.

Unlike the false front of the living wage campaign that Mr. Peterson's union is hiding behind, we are straightforward about who we are and what we believe. We at Casa del Mar are proud of our record and relationship with our employees. We practice what we preach.

Sincerely,

Klaus Mennekes
General Manager and Vice President
Hotel Casa del Mar