Councilors Kat Kerwin (Ward 12), Rachel Miller (Ward 13) and Helen Anthony (Ward 2) will introduce a resolution at tonight’s City Council Meeting condemning the cancelation of health insurance benefits for employees by the Omni Hotel in Providence.This is particularly egregious because of the ongoing global COVID-19 public health crisis.
“The Omni Hotel, an integral part of our downtown economy, has benefitted from the hard work provided it’s employees. Additionally, these workers have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Several Omni Hotel employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Taking away their right to healthcare would not only endanger the employees but also add to the ongoing public health threat throughout the City of Providence,” stated Councilwoman Helen Anthony.
This cut to insurance benefits is in direct violation of the contract between the Omni Hotel and UNITE HERE Local 26, the bargaining representative for nearly 200 of the hotel’s employees. Many Omni Hotel employees live in Providence, are low-wage earners, and cannot afford to pay the COBRA premiums being offered by the hotel. Creating further financial strains and barriers to receiving adequate healthcare.
“As our City and State are working so hard to safely re-open the economy, the unethical actions of the Omni Hotel would lead to an increased health threat,” stated Councilwoman Kat Kerwin. “This action by the owners of the Omni could potentially lead to an increase in positive cases of COVID-19, financial hardship due to medical bills, and severe illness for which employees will not be able to receive treatment. This will greatly slow the re-opening of the hotel and endanger not only Omni Hotel employees and guests, but residents throughout the City.”
“In this time of crisis, local employers, especially those like the Omni whose property has received a substantial investment of public money over the years, should be doing everything they can to protect the health and safety of their workers. The actions of the Omni Hotel are unethical and pose a public health threat to the City as a whole. I stand with UNITE HERE Local 26 in solidarity and will continue to advocate for our hard working men and women of the Union to ensure that they get the benefits they need and deserve,” added Councilor Rachel Miller.
The resolution condemns the actions of the Omni Hotel and calls on the hotel leadership to reinstate health insurance benefits to employees immediately. Upon passage a copy of this resolution will be transmitted to the owners of the hotel in the hopes that they will change their current course of action.
