From Cardi B to Tom Cruise, celebrities staying at an upscale Manhattan hotel for the exclusive Met Gala will face a grim labor dispute prior to their walk down the red carpet on Monday, according to union officials.
Members of the Hotel Trade Council union have announced plans for a demonstration outside The Surrey Hotel, located near East 76th Street, where numerous high-profile guests attending the renowned Met Museum gala are accommodated.
In 2020, The Surrey shut down due to the pandemic and declared bankruptcy. It later resumed operations in October with the Corinthia Hotels branding and new management from the Reuben Brothers, an international investment firm headquartered in London, Geneva, and Milan.
However, almost all of the hotel’s employees who lost their jobs during the shutdown were notrehiredby thenewmanagementwhenitresumedoperations, amove thatthe tradecounciliscondemningas anattempttobreakthestrikes.
(Note: I have maintained “union-busting” as it is specific terminology.)
In March, the laid-off employees initiated legal action against the recent owners, arguing that their job losses breached a regulation enacted during the pandemic designed to keep workers employed despite changes in ownership. The litigation remains unresolved.
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The celebrities set to attend Monday’s celebration at The Surrey include Cardi B, Cruise, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Cristiano Ronaldo, Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts, Angela Bassett, Tommy Hilfiger, and representatives from the Burberry, Valentino, and Stella McCartney fashion houses, as reported by the HTC.
The union mentioned that they have reached out to representatives of each celebrity and requested their backing for the workers. Labor activists stated they plan to make additional phone calls to these stars early on Monday.
The dismissed employees along with their union are urging the celebrities “to skip the red carpet and join their side” by requesting The Surrey to reinstate them.
The Surrey is providing its deluxe guests an ultra-luxurious spa session with Sisley Paris, designed for individuals aiming for “an extraordinary, red-carpet-worthy transformation.” This package includes services such as an expert sculpting massage, LED light therapy, and a revitalizing eye treatment.
One of the ex-Surrey employees hoping for celebrities and athletes to support their cause is Merry Coronado, who worked as a room attendant at the hotel from 2010 until being let go.
I’m a single mother, so this position at The Surrey is incredibly important to me,” Coronado stated to The Post. “This job has provided for my two girls, covered our rent in a nice apartment, and allowed me to purchase a vehicle.
When losing this position, it felt utterly crushing. I’ve been forced to take on debts merely to make ends meet, ensuring we have meals and electricity at home. I’m now battling to reclaim my job, so I can restore stability to our household.
Donna McCammon, who had been working as a room attendant at the hotel since 2002 until she was let go, stated, “Being laid off from The Surrey has been among the most challenging experiences I’ve faced.”
“I am the only source of income for my family, and without this consistent pay, things were extremely challenging,” McCammon stated.
I transitioned from a secure position at The Surrey where I could support my family, to having to accept a role on the night shift just to make ends meet. Having worked at The Surrey for many years, we all expected that my colleagues and I would return to our former roles. We haven’t lost this hope.
Rich Maroko, the president of the HTC, stated that the previous employees of Surrey were “inappropriately discarded” by the hotel’s new proprietors.
“We’re urging the celebrities residing at The Surrey to demonstrate their support for the workers and join our call to have them reinstated,” Maroko stated.
Representatives for The Surrey did not provide an immediate statement.
The theme for Monday’s Met Gala is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” with a dress code of “Tailored for You” based around the history of the black dandy. Head honcho Anna Wintour tapped an all-male lineup to chair the event: Colman Domingo, ASAP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and Lewis Hamilton.
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