Statement from President, Donna S. Edwards
Re: Recall of Workers at Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel
We urge Aimbridge Hospitality and Costello Construction to recall the workers laid off from the hotel and give them the opportunity they deserve to continue serving our community. These workers were laid off from their jobs through no fault of their own, and many had served the hotel for decades. With record layoffs and job closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that we get people back to work as quickly as we can and as safely as possible. “Back to work” is the key phrase here, and it applies to Aimbridge Hospitality and Costello Construction.
As our economy restarts, it is our responsibly as a community, and Aimbridge Hospitality and Costello Construction as business owners, to ensure that the people hit the hardest by this pandemic, are able to get back on their feet. Having been laid off for more than a year has been extremely difficult for workers and their families. Their future, and with it the economic health of our community and Maryland’s economy, depends on them being able to return to work they are trained to do as soon as possible. They are ready and able to return to work when the Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel reopens, need no training for the job, and already have the experience necessary to hit the ground running.
The Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO represents over 350,000 workers and their families, from 55 International Unions. We are dedicated to improving the lives of workers, building the middle class, and growing an economy that works for working people. We are excited about the renovation of the Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel and look forward to its reopening. However, it will be difficult for us to patronize this hotel if the workers who have contributed to its success are abandoned in their time of need. Moreover, if you decide not to rehire these workers who were laid off through no fault of their own, we will ensure that all of our more than 700 affiliated local unions and organizations that care about workers know exactly how experienced workers are treated at the Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel.
Through our entertainment industry unions, we will also inform future talent scheduled to play at Merriweather Post of the plight and treatment of the workers by the current hotel owners.
Do right by the workers, the Columbia and Howard County community, and rehire the skilled workforce that made people want to patronize the hotel.
Donna S. Edwards
President
Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO