In-Fighting at UNITE HERE
UNITE HERE, the trade union that encompasses the apparel and textile industries—as well as hotel, laundry, restaurant and casino workers—is seeking a split.
The group formed in 2004 when the union formerly known as the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees merged with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union.
Fifteen vice presidents of the group’s executive committee filed suit in New York federal court against John Wilhelm, president of hospitality for UNITE HERE, and several other members of the executive committee. The suit requests that the joint boards affiliated with the former UNITE organization be released from the merger agreement, according to a statement released by the union. At the heart of the dispute are disagreements over allocation of the union’s resources, which are outlined in a statement released by members of the UNITE board titled “Resolution of the Committee to Re-UNITE and Rebuild.”
(A copy of the complaint can be found here and the original resolution can be found here.)
The union’s committee voted against the proposed dissolution on Feb. 9. UNITE HERE will hold its annual convention in June.—Alison A. Nieder
