Please see below for a note from our President and CEO, Mark Hoplamazian.

Last week, an incident occurred during an organized labor demonstration at Park Hyatt Chicago that was deeply disappointing to me both personally and professionally. During an early morning demonstration, a manager, who has since left the company, made an inappropriate decision to turn on heat lamps under the canopy in front of the hotel while representatives of UniteHere were picketing.

I personally regret the events of last Thursday occurred, and I have apologized to all Hyatt associates. These actions are inconsistent with the values and policies that hold us together as the Hyatt family, a family that is made up of associates who are represented by a union and others who are not. In particular, the incident goes against our core value of mutual respect, which is an essential part of the foundation on which the Hyatt culture is built.

Our company has a long history of respecting our associates and caring about their well-being.  I know this incident, while deeply disappointing, is not emblematic of the Hyatt culture.

It is unfortunate the actions from UniteHere, which include boycotts and picketing at several Hyatt hotels, are continuing after two years, with no end in sight. By organizing many different actions but not coming to an agreement at the bargaining table, UniteHere is acting for its own financial gain at the expense of the members it represents. This is very frustrating because Hyatt has offered wage and benefit packages to our associates that are identical to those accepted by UniteHere at other hotel companies. Unfortunately, UniteHere has intentionally delayed contract negotiations and for nearly two years, spread false rumors about our work environment

We continue to believe that our associates deserve competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits and an excellent work environment and continue to urge UniteHere to bargain with us in good faith so we can come to an agreement that is in the best interests of our associates.