Meeting News - November 19, 2007 - (Page 38)

MN Outlook 2008 By Christopher Hosford W hile immigration reform seems to be off the national legislative table this year, the issue could remain critical for hotels and the meetings industry moving into 2008. Increasingly rigorous federal screening of hotel hiring practices, the industry’s inability to hire sufficient numbers of workers during peak periods, and even the prospect of federal raids could disrupt the hotel industry and thus meetings clients. Labor Profile: Out of an estimated 12 million illegal U.S. immigrants, 17% work in the hospitality industry Despite this, only 6 percent of meeting planners surveyed for MeetingNews’ Outlook 2008 identified the issue as urgent. Hoteliers, feeling the heat of increased scrutiny, disagree. “As a company, we can only adhere to our process of recruiting people, welcoming immigrants, and going through the legal process,” said Salvador Mendoza, VP of diversity for Hyatt Hotels, based in Chicago. “But raids are a concern.” Mendoza voiced concern that the hotel industry may be targeted by zealous federal agencies, or even state and community authorities, spurred on by the current political debate. The hotel industry and its group guests have a lot at stake. It is estimated that there are some 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States, about 17 percent of whom work in the leisure and hospitality industry, according to figures from the Pew Hispanic Center. Meanwhile, the need for hotel workers is increasing; growth in the industry is expected to require 300,000 more employees by 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experts say 38 MeetingNews November 19, 2007 those employees must come largely from the immigrant population. Over the past year, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security has conducted raids on companies suspected of employing undocumented workers. Some 1,300 workers at Swift & Co. plants in six states were arrested, effectively shutting down those facilities. A manufacturing plant in Massachusetts was raided, and its workers were rounded up, as well. To date, no raids have been conducted against hotels or resorts, but —Andrew Galeziowski, immigration attorney, Ogletree Deakins onlookers are concerned. “Hotel raids should be considered possible,” said Andrew Galeziowski, an immigration attorney with law firm Ogletree Deakins, in Atlanta. “Hotels stand to lose a lot of their workforce in a single swipe.” Such an event could leave meeting groups stranded without proper staffing to serve their programs in the short term. In the long term, it could lead to drastically increased rates at service-oriented properties that have to scramble to re-hire during a worker shortage. The American Hotel & Lodging Association has urged immigration reform leading to guest-worker status. Its most recent effort targets visa allowances governing the hiring of seasonal immigrant workers, currently capped at 1990 levels. The AH&LA is seeking a loosening of those restrictions. “The outlook is rather bleak, given the political dynamics,” said Shawn McBurney, senior vice president of government affairs with the AH&LA, in Washington, DC. “If we don’t have those international workers to have a successful peak season, we can’t employ people year-round.” McBurney said that all AH&LA members adhere to federal guidelines requiring verification of legal immigrant status. That, however, generally only requires “Hotel raids should be considered possible. Hotels stand to lose a lot of their workforce in a single swipe ” Stealth Issue: Immigration Policies Only 6% of meeting planners rank this issue as a major industry concern; hotel companies see things differently presentation of a driver’s license or Social Security number. If undocumented workers are inadvertently hired, the government “might prosecute you later,” he said. Despite rigorous hiring practices by hotels, or even due diligence by planners, meetings may be at risk. “As an immigrant to this country, I can tell you it’s bothersome,” said Hyatt’s Mendoza. “They may assume that people who look like me are undocumented. As a company, though, we can only adhere to our process of recruitment, welcoming immigrants, and going through the legal hiring process.” H www.meetingnews.com http://www.meetingnews.com

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