Archive · 1 Oct 2025
Talent Agencies Asked to Boycott NYC Hotel Amid Labor Dispute
Imagine a fancy hotel that used to have union workers.
When the hotel changed owners and closed for a bit, many of the workers lost their jobs.
Now, the hotel is open again, but it hired new people and doesn't pay them as much as the old workers made.
The workers and their union are asking famous people who stay at the hotel to stop going there until things change.
They want the hotel to treat the workers fairly and give them good pay and benefits.
The union says the hotel is breaking the law, and the workers are very upset about how they have been treated after working there for many years.
Major talent agencies received a letter asking them to boycott The Surrey Hotel in NYC.
The Hotel and Gaming Trades Council (HTC) sent the letter due to a labor dispute.
The dispute began in 2020 after the hotel's bankruptcy, resulting in lost jobs.
The HTC alleges the hotel did not offer former workers jobs and pays current staff less.
The HTC has filed a grievance and workers have filed a lawsuit against the hotel.
- Who
- Hotel workers, HTC union, and talent agencies
- What
- A labor dispute at The Surrey Hotel, prompting a boycott request.
- When
- The dispute began in 2020, with the hotel reopening in 2024.
- Where
- The Surrey Hotel in New York City.
- Why
- Workers were allegedly denied jobs and paid less after a change in ownership.
Union View
Hotel Management (Unstated)
Worker Employment
Union View
Former union workers were not rehired, violating worker rights.
Hotel Management (Unstated)
Not Available
Pay and Benefits
Union View
Current workers are paid significantly less with fewer benefits than they would under a union contract.
Hotel Management (Unstated)
Not Available
- Hotel
- The Surrey Hotel, NYC
- Involved Parties
- Hotel and Gaming Trades Council (HTC), Corinthia Hotels, Talent Agencies (CAA, WME, UTA)
- Labor Dispute Start
- 2020, after hotel bankruptcy
- HTC's Request
- Boycott the hotel and support workers
- Current Staff
- Paid less than union rates with fewer benefits
- Hotel Reopened
- 2024 under Corinthia Hotels management