Statement from Gail Smith-Howard, general manager Hyatt Regency Baltimore, sent 1/16/13

At Hyatt, the satisfaction and wellbeing of our associates are fundamental to the success of our business. Our associates play a critical role in ensuring that our guests receive the authentic hospitality they have come to expect from Hyatt.

Since 2009, UniteHere has engaged in an ongoing campaign to boost its membership by attempting to organize associates at Hyatt properties, including Hyatt Regency Baltimore, through a non-democratic and often intimidating process called card check. Hyatt believes our associates should have the right to say “yes” or “no” to a union with a democratic secret-ballot election as the NLRB has provided for more than 75 years.

Because of our disagreement with UniteHere over its organizing tactics, the union has said and done anything to advance its cause, including making false accusations about Hyatt’s workplace environment in Baltimore and elsewhere. The trial starting this week in Baltimore is an example of the lengths to which UniteHere will go in its organizing efforts, and Hyatt believes the NLRB will find in favor of the hotel.

Hyatt Regency Baltimore is a great place to work and we are proud of our commitment to our associates. Our hotel was ranked #2 in the mid-size business category in the Baltimore Sun’s Top Places to Work 2011 survey and our associates gave us a 4.3 out of 5 overall satisfaction score in a 2011 associate engagement survey. The average length of service for associates at Hyatt Regency Baltimore is more than 9.5 years, and more than 20% of our associates have more than 20 years of service with us. It is because of our great workplace record that we’ve received more than 600 applications this year for 20 open positions at our hotel.