Indianapolis considers 'freedom to work' proposal - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The City-County Council is taking up a controversial proposal Monday night that could affect where hotel workers can get a job.

The proposal, called "freedom to work," is being introduced in response to a dispute between some of the city's largest hotels and the people who work in them.

The proposal says as a condition of getting and maintaining their annual license, hotels cannot "be a party to any agreement that prevents (them) from hiring employees of any contracting serve at the hotel."

Currently, many hotels hire their housekeeping staff through sub-contractors. This practice saves the hotels money because they don't have to pay benefits. It also allows them to temporarily boost their staff during big events, like the Super Bowl or a convention.

However, if a full-time position opens up, the contract worker cannot apply for that job for a year after they've quit, not just at that hotel, but any hotel that the subcontractor has an agreement with.

Opponents say that's wrong and unfair and that it keeps workers from making more money and gaining benefits. They also say employees don't sign the contract and aren't even aware of it as it's between the sub-contractor and hotels.

Martha Gonzalez, who worked at a downtown hotel, said she found out after she quit the temp agency to find a job that paid more.

When she applied for a full-time position at a different hotel she said she was told,"You're not allowed to work for six months to a year. The curious thing is I've never seen one of these contracts, never signed anything to say I'd be barred from working at any hotel that contracts with HSS (hospitality Staffing Solutions.)"

Sara Lyons with the group Unite Here said the ordinance is important because "it will allow people to have the freedom to work in the hotels they choose. Now they're effectively trapped in low-wage jobs with no benefits. They become permanent temporary employees."

Council Democrats are sponsoring the proposal, and so far, Republicans have been lukewarm. Councilor Bob Lutz said his first reaction is, "I don't think we should be sticking our noses in their and telling businesses how to operate and who has the ability to clean a room."

Phil Ray, chairman of the Indiana Hospitality and Lodging Association, said they were still reviewing the proposal.

He said while "private businesses should be able to do business...we've always believed associates should have a choice, the freedom to choose where they want to work."

The proposal will be introduced at Monday night's council meeting and sent to a committee for further review before coming back to the full council.