Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - (Page 22) H&MM March 2009 | HotelWorldNetwork.com 22 On Finance BY JAMES MERKEL “Hoteliers must be willing to work with unions to find creative solutions.” he last several quarters have ushered in an unprecedented malaise and level of uncertainty in the economy and the hotel industry specifically. Today, EFCA would require compromise from unions, hoteliers T more than ever, it is important that all constituents work together to create stability in the marketplace. During these uncertain times in our industry, one issue has been lurking in the shadows: the Employee Free Choice Act. At the heart of the bill is the authorization of the cardcheck process, which allows a union to organize if a majority of workers sign a public union authorization card. By overhauling the current process, card check could allow unions to organize more quickly, and service businesses— If your laundry equipment is worn and forcing you to know your repairman on a first-name basis, it is time to stop dreaming and take action. You may be surprised how efficient and inexpensive new laundry equipment can be, especially with UniMac Funding. Upgrade to UniMac and you could save money on natural gas, use less water and reduce labor. You could also lower your repair costs with our industry-leading, 5-year, limited parts warranty. Contact us for a FREE Cash Flow Savings analysis. including hotels—likely would become more attractive prospects for union organizers. We have seen all sides of the unionization of hotels in our practice. Organized labor concepts such as fair pay, fair treatment and safe work environments should be the standard in the hotel industry, and unions have done their part to ensure those standards are met. When organized labor and management form a true partnership, they often can work together to create a thriving and sustainable business. Today, especially, hoteliers cannot continue to pay more dollars for less in return. At the same time, the workforce is the front line for a hotel. They set the tone for the guest experience and are inextricably linked to the success of the hotel. As such, hoteliers must TAKEAWAY recognize the Should EFCA concerns of its pass, hotel workforce and investors need move judiciously to understand to resolve issues the changing landscape and and build how EFCA might employee morale. affect their Concessions investments. from all sides must be considered to keep properties viable and keep people working if EFCA passes. Unions must warm to the concepts of jobsharing, cross-training and flexible shifts. Hoteliers must be willing to work with unions to find creative solutions to the benefit-cost problem and to build cooperation with their workforce. We face a rocky road ahead, and President Obama is asking Americans to work together to restore an economy in shambles. If EFCA passes, let’s hope that union and business response to it do not directly undermine such stability. hmm@questex.com Locate your nearest UniMac laundry consultant by visiting our Website or call 1-800-587-5458. If you want to learn more about laundry operations, visit our Education Center at www.unimac.com /manage. James T. Merkel is president of Columbus-based RockBridge Capital LLC. He can be reached at (614) 246-2505. CIRCLE NO. 102 http://www.HotelWorldNetwork.com http://www.unimac.com/manage http://www.unimac.com/manage
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 Contents News Perspective Green Focus Legally Speaking Franchise Law Sales Clinic Legal FAQ Trends & Stats Timeshare On Finance Management Companies Stuggle to Cut Costs While Keeping Guest Satisfaction Up Top Third-Party Management Companies Chart Hot Products Technology Marketplace Ad/Editorial Index Checking Out Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 (Page Cover1) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 (Page Cover2) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Contents (Page 3) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - News (Page 4) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - News (Page 5) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Perspective (Page 6) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Perspective (Page 7) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Green Focus (Page 8) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Green Focus (Page 9) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Legally Speaking (Page 10) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Legally Speaking (Page 11) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Franchise Law (Page 12) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Franchise Law (Page 13) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Sales Clinic (Page 14) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Sales Clinic (Page 15) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Legal FAQ (Page 16) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Legal FAQ (Page 17) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Trends & Stats (Page 18) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Trends & Stats (Page 19) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Timeshare (Page 20) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Timeshare (Page 21) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - On Finance (Page 22) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - On Finance (Page 23) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Management Companies Stuggle to Cut Costs While Keeping Guest Satisfaction Up (Page 24) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Management Companies Stuggle to Cut Costs While Keeping Guest Satisfaction Up (Page 25) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Top Third-Party Management Companies Chart (Page 26) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Top Third-Party Management Companies Chart (Page 27) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Top Third-Party Management Companies Chart (Page 28) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Top Third-Party Management Companies Chart (Page 29) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Top Third-Party Management Companies Chart (Page 30) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Top Third-Party Management Companies Chart (Page 31) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Top Third-Party Management Companies Chart (Page 32) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Top Third-Party Management Companies Chart (Page 33) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Top Third-Party Management Companies Chart (Page 34) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Top Third-Party Management Companies Chart (Page 35) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Top Third-Party Management Companies Chart (Page 36) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Hot Products (Page 37) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Technology (Page 38) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Technology (Page 39) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Technology (Page 40) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Technology (Page 41) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Technology (Page 42) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Technology (Page 43) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Marketplace (Page 44) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Marketplace (Page 45) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Marketplace (Page 46) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Marketplace (Page 47) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Ad/Editorial Index (Page 48) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Ad/Editorial Index (Page 49) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Ad/Editorial Index (Page 50) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Ad/Editorial Index (Page 51) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Ad/Editorial Index (Page 52) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Ad/Editorial Index (Page 53) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Checking Out (Page 54) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Checking Out (Page Cover3) Hotel & Motel Management - March 2009 - Checking Out (Page Cover4)
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