AHLA Advances Hotel-Specific Industry Relief

Today, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and UNITE HERE! (UH), the largest hospitality workers union in North America, will join forces to call on Congress to pass the Save Hotel Jobs Act. The bill, introduced by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-Fla.), provides a lifeline to hotel workers and hoteliers, providing critical assistance to bring back workers and to bridge the gap until travel returns.  Attached is the press release.

This introduction comes at a pivotal time for our industry and is the result of months and months of effort between AHLA and UH. The pandemic has been devastating to the hospitality industry workforce, wiping out 10 years of hotel job growth. Leisure and hospitality has lost 3.1 million jobs during the pandemic that have yet to return, leading to an unemployment rate more than double that of the U.S. economy overall, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even more stark, the unemployment rate in the accommodation sector specifically remains 330% higher than the rest of the economy.

The Save Hotel Jobs Act will provide critical support to hotels and their workers during this crucial period. Senator Schatz has requested the bill text remain under embargo until the press conference this morning, but key provisions include:

·         Direct Support for Hotel Workers:

o   Up to 3 months’ worth of pre-pandemic payroll for a qualifying hotel with a revenue decline of 40% or more.

o   100% of the grant would have to be used for payroll and benefits over a covered period of nine months.

o   The legislation would require grantees to give laid-off workers recall rights to ensure those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic are able to return to work.

·         Allow the Utilization Of Worker-Friendly Tax Credits

o   Provides a hotel with a Personal Protective Equipment Tax Credit to promote worker safety measures.

o   The tax credit would cover up to 50% of costs associated with the purchase of personal protective equipment, technology designed to reduce the impact of the pandemic, increased testing for employees, and enhanced cleaning protocols that do not negatively impact the level of work for housekeeping staff.

o   The maximum value of the credit would be $25,000 and would cover expenses purchased after December 31, 2020.