May 2024 | Volume 25 #225
In like Quinn
Sonesta’s chief development officer
sits for Leadership Series
16
The new
American Dream
Hoteliers look to updated immigration policies for
solutions to the labor shortage
Leadership Series
Hotel companies in the news include:
Jay Sahajanad LLC, Central NY Hospitality LLC, Sai LLC
The Voice of Asian American Hoteliers
Getting beneath
the surface
Hoteliers turning to probiotic cleaners
and antimicrobial surface treatments
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Hoteliers in the U.S. are looking to proposed
legislation, such as the SEASONAL Act and the
Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, along
with expansions of the H-2B temporary non-
agricultural worker visa program to provide
workers to fill gaps in their staffing.
Cover Story
News
Leadership Series
AAHOACON
Product Feature
20 | The new American Dream
Hoteliers look to updated immigration
policies for solutions to the labor shortage
5 | Gharib is the new Red Roof president
SVP for franchise operations Malouf is now
chief operating officer
6 | AAHOACON24 sees new chairman,
speeches on history
The event also saw the return of Marriott and
election of a new secretary
7 | LendingCon 2024 scheduled for
August
This is the fourth year for the conference
focused on hotel financing
8 | AAHOA, AHLA set legislative advocacy
goals
Issues include tax credits, fees, labor shortage
10 | Senate passes bill blocking NLRB
joint employer rule
President Biden vetoed the legislation that
AHLA welcomed as expected
11 | AHLA launches ‘Tax Day of Action’
campaign to pass tax relief bill
The association called on its members to
support the proposed legislation
12 | Sai’s Tru by Hilton wins Hilton
development award
The company is led by president Rajesh
Bhagia
Thakor and Deva named to lead Maya
Hotels
Thakor joined in 2008, while Deva came
aboard in 2019
16 | In like Quinn
Sonesta’s chief development officer sits for
Leadership Series
18 | AAHOACON24
Scenes from AAHOACON24
26 | Getting beneath the surface
Hoteliers turning to probiotic cleaners
and antimicrobial surface treatments
30 | Gujarati translation of top stories
begins
On the cover
14 | Hyatt plans eight new hotels in India,
Southwest Asia for 2024
Growth coincides with anticipated travel
rebound in the region
India's Uttar Pradesh state mulls $3.9
billion investment in hospitality and
tourism
Religious tourism surged in the state
following the Ayodhya Lord Ram temple
consecration on Jan. 22
15 | ISH, Sommet Foundation and Accor
launch Indian Talent Development
Initiative
The program aims to provide job
opportunities in the hospitality industry to
underprivileged youth
COMING
NEXT ISSUE:
Bringing in the
summer dollars
Contents
06
08
11
13
14
16
05
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May 2024 | Issue 225
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Keep the dream alive
his month’s cover story is about immigration, a topic I know is near
and dear to the hearts of many of you. There’s an element of generosity
in the stories of hoteliers providing employment for refugees from the
wars in Afghanistan and Ukraine, but the emphasis is on the practical
need for comprehensive immigration reform.
America needs workers, but why?
Really, it’s more that the hotel industry needs workers, particularly because so
many had to be laid off during the pandemic. An interesting data point found in
this month’s cover comes from the American Hotel & Loding Association, which
found that, while the industry added 1,200 jobs in April, the current number of
hotel employees nationwide, 1.92 million people, is nearly 200,000 people short of
February 2020 levels.
Kevin Carey, AHLA’s Interim president and CEO, said hotels are doing what they
can to attract and retain employees, including enhancing wages, benefits, and
flexibility. Still, there remains a shortfall that provides an open door to immigrant
workers.
There has been a persistent belief by many that one reason for that is that
immigrants are willing to take jobs citizens don’t want. A 2020 survey by the Pew
Research Center found that 77 percent of adults believed undocumented immigrants
mostly fill jobs U.S. citizens do not want.
More recent research from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce calls the dynamic
affecting the American labor force “The Great Reshuffle.” The hospitality and
food service segments hae seen the highest quit rates, and those workers are not
returning.
“While quit rates remain high, hiring rates continue to outpace them as many
workers have been transitioning to other jobs in search of an improved work-life
balance and flexibility, increased compensation, or a strong company culture,” the
chamber said in one article on its site.
In a day of increasing use of remote work, it may be that hotels will become more
and more reliant on temporary immigrant workers who still don’t have that option.
At the same time, take comfort in the idea that you may be putting those temporary
workers on the path to permanent residence within the American dream.
Edward J. Brock, Senior Editor
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Editor's Letter
04
www.asianhospitality.com
May 2024 | Issue 225
05
News
www.asianhospitality.com
May 2024 | Issue 225
ack Gharib is the new president
of Red Roof Inn, assuming the
position vacated by George Limbert
10 months ago. Previously, he served
as senior vice president of operations
for Highgate Hospitality Investment &
Management Co.
The company also announced that
Fouad Malouf is now chief operating
officer, moving into the newly created
position from his previous role of senior
vice president of franchise operations. He
will oversee the company’s day-to-day
operations.
Gharib also held senior management
positions in franchising, operations
and brand management with Marriott
International, Vacasa Vacation Homes and
Rentals and LaQuinta by Wyndham Hotels
& Resorts. Malouf joined the company in
1982.
“We are happy to welcome Zack
Gharib as Red Roof’s new president, an
appointment that we are confident will
take the brand and its franchise partners
to new heights. Zack brings a laser focus
on growth and operations excellence to
his new role and has demonstrated his
ability to deliver transformative results for
some of the most widely regarded brands
in the hotel industry,” said Mohamed
Thowfeek, member of the Red Roof board
of directors and the company’s
interim president. “We look
forward to Zack’s immediate
positive impact on Red Roof
and its franchisees, and also
congratulate Fouad Malouf on
his promotion to chief operating
officer. Fouad brings unmatched
knowledge and experience
with the Red Roof brand and
franchise community and
will work closely with Zack to
accelerate the company’s growth
and franchising excellence in the
months ahead.”
Gharib is relocating to
Columbus, Ohio, and will
operate out of Red Roof’s
corporate headquarters there.
“I am deeply honored and
excited to be joining Red Roof as its
president at this dynamic and promising
moment in the company’s development,”
Gharib said. “I am passionate about
helping owners, franchisees and team
members achieve their fullest potential,
deliver exceptional guest service, and
achieve operational excellence – which I
hope will be instrumental in driving Red
Roof’s continued growth and success. I
look forward to developing a program of
focused action and results that will help
drive this venerable brand’s growth and
transformation for many years to come.”
AAHOA issued a statement
congratulating Gharib and Malouf.
“AAHOA extends its sincerest
congratulations to Zack on being named
president of our longtime partner Red
Roof,” said Miraj Patel, AAHOA chairman.
“AAHOA members own some 93 percent
of Red Roof properties, and we look
forward to continuing our
longstanding relationship
with the brand under Zack’s
leadership.”
“AAHOA welcomes Zack
and Fouad to their new roles,”
said Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA
president and CEO. “With Zach’s
franchising, operations, and
brand-management expertise,
and Fouad’s 40-plus years of
experience, we know the future
is bright for Red Roof and its
franchisees under its new
leadership team.”
Limbert left the company
last June to become chief
administrative officer and
general counsel of Feazel
Roofing in Columbus, Ohio.
Gharib is the new
Red Roof president
SVP for franchise operations Malouf is now chief operating officer
Zack Gharib, left, is the new president of Red Roof Inn and Fouad Malouf, the company’s senior vice
president for franchise operations is now chief operating officer.
Zack Gharib succeeds George Limbert, who stepped down from the Red
Roof presidency last July to become chief administrative officer and general
counsel of Feazel Roofing in Columbus, Ohio.
News
06
www.asianhospitality.com
May 2024 | Issue 225
t the 2024 AAHOA Convention &
Trade Show held in early April
in Orlando, Florida, history was
being made at the same time it was
being recalled. Miraj Patel assumed
his role as the youngest chairman
the association has had, while his
predecessor Bharat Patel and AAHOA
President and CEO Laura Lee Blake
spoke on the legacy that led to the
association’s current success.
AAHOACON24, the 35th national
conference for the association, saw
more than 7,000 registered attendees
and 524 exhibitors at the Orange
County Convention Center, blocks
away from Disneyworld and Universal
Studios. Event revenue was 6 percent higher
than 2023 and 31 percent higher than in
2022. The tradeshow sprawled over more
than 84,500 square feet of exhibit space.
In a speech during the first general
session, Bharat presented his theory on
what led to AAHOA’s current status.
“Because AAHOA is forever growing
and improving for our association and our
members, success is an ongoing journey, a
journey that will take us to greater heights
and major milestones,” Bharat said. “We're
all familiar with the financial concept
of compound interest. So, let me offer a
new take on an old idea called compound
success.”
Blake began her general session
presentation by also highlighting the idea
that AAHOA is defined by its members
struggle to realize the American dream. She
pointed out that AAHOA’s original purpose
was to combat racism against Indian
Americans that was rampant in the industry
at that time. As the association’s attorney,
she played an active role in that fight.
“I recall a period only 10 years ago, when
‘American owned’ signs started popping
up across this country to distinguish and
degrade AAHOA member owned hotels,”
Blake said. “It was a practice that implied
that these hotels were somehow better than
those hotels owned by immigrants and was
a threat to their livelihood. Again, I saw the
strength and unity of AAHOA as we lobbied
and educated the world that our members
are loyal Americans who have achieved the
true American dream.”
Marriott returns
Last year, Marriott International severed its
support for AAHOA over the association’s
12 Points of Fair Franchising and support
for franchise reform legislation in New
Jersey. At AAHOACON24, the company
reestablished contact via an appearance by
Liam Brown, Marriott International’s group
president for the U.S. and Canada.
Brown did not elaborate on Marriott’s
exact status with AAHOA but implied that
negotiations were still ongoing. He said
“the door with Marriott is always open” and
there are many other challenges facing the
hotel industry.
“I really, really believe that by keeping
the lines of communication open and
leveraging our collective expertise, we can
overcome these challenges together and be
a real force for good in our industry,” Brown
said. “We should be focused on ensuring
the long-term success of this industry that
has given all of us so much. We do that by
talking to one another and engaging with
one another.”
At a press conference with AAHOA
officers during the convention, Bharat
clarified that, in fact, AAHOA and Marriott
are still in negotiations.
“Marriott wants to see show that there
is a relationship still with AAHOA and we
have some key differences,” Bharat said.
“We're trying to work through those
key differences and make sure that the
two organizations are on a similar page
moving forward.”
Youngest chairman
takes charge
At 26, Miraj Patel became the
youngest person to take on the
AAHOA chairmanship. He is a
second-generation hotelier who
began his career in hospitality at a
young age, growing up in his family’s
first 30-room independent property.
He served as an AAHOA committee
member for several years and joined
the AAHOA board of directors in 2019
after being elected as young professional
director Western Division.
“Serving as the youngest chair in the
association's history further demonstrates
AAHOA’s commitment to fostering the
growth and success of the next generation,”
Miraj said. “I’m always encouraging young
professionals not to let age determine
success. Many times, people may say you’re
too young, but that is absolutely not true.
There are so many folks who are young but
still do whatever it takes to find success. If
you never try, you’ll never know what you’re
capable of achieving.”
Also during AAHOACON24, Pinal Patel
was elected secretary.
Pinal’s parents bought their first
independent hotel in 1991, and he is a
second-generation hotelier even after
graduating flight school at Embry Riddle
in Daytona Beach, Florida, before buying
his first franchise property. Previously,
he has served as an AAHOA ambassador
and as AAHOA’s director at large Eastern
Division.
“Hard work definitely pays off,” Patel said.
“I'm going to make sure we do what's right
for the association and for the members.
I promise to all my supporters, my family,
and my fellow members that I will not
let you down. I will do what's best for the
association's interests."
See more pictures from AAHOACON24 on
p. 18.
AAHOACON24 sees new
chairman, speeches on history
The event also saw the return of Marriott and election of a new secretary
Miraj Patel, AAHOA’s new chairman, on stage at
AAHOACON24.
May 2024 | Issue 225
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delivers
Amit Patel, GM &
Veena Patel, Owner
Red Carpet Inn
Rochester, MN
LendingCon 2024
scheduled for August
This is the fourth year for the conference focused on hotel financing
he Lendingcon 2024 Conference, the fourth of the
series, is scheduled for Aug. 7 to 8 at the Rosen Centre
in Orlando. The theme this year is “Shaping the
Future of Lending” and will feature keynote speeches from
industry experts, panel discussions on emerging
lending models, breakout sessions on technological
advancements and networking opportunities with
other professionals.
More than 600 people attended last year’s
LendingCon, which focuses on hotel financing, in
the same location. Jan Gautam, president and CEO of
IHRMC Hotels & Resorts and founder of LendingCon,
said he expects this year’s conference to follow suit.
“We are thrilled with the overwhelming response
and success of LendingCon 2023,” Gautam said. “The
event provided a unique platform for industry leaders
to come together, exchange ideas and shape the future
of lending. The level of engagement and enthusiasm
demonstrated by our
attendees was truly
inspiring.”
Gautam said he
created the conference
to provide focus on
hotel lending and
finance not provided by
other industry events.
Attendees include
professionals from
commercial banks,
fintech companies,
credit unions, regulatory
bodies, investors,
developers, consultants
and policy makers.
“This is a conference for hoteliers designed by
hoteliers,” Gautam said.
This year’s keynote speakers have not yet been
announced. Last year’s speakers includedU.S.
Congressman Bill Posey, who serves on the
House Financial Services Committee, and Florida
Congressman Darren Soto.
Jan’s daughter Adrianna Gautam, IHRMC’s director
of public relations, missed the first LendingCon
because she as still in college, but she’s attended the
past two. It’s grown from around 200 attendees to
more than 700 in that time.
“It’s grown so much over the past three years. But
just to see the amount of vendors and the attendees,
I see new faces every year. It’s beautiful to see a
community come together and in discuss hospitality,
financing, lending, technology and operations,”
Adrianna said. “We just wanted to provide a space where
people can come together and learn about lending, operating a
hotel, the statistics and just being able to understand having a
property and being able to manage and own that properly.”
Jan Gautam, president and CEO
of IHRMC Hotels & Resorts and
founder of LendingCon, on stage
during last year’s conference.
News
08
www.asianhospitality.com
May 2024 | Issue 225
resident Biden’s State of
the Union address before
Congress on March 7
touched on several issues hotel
industry associations have been
advocating for a while. AAHOA
and the American Lodging and
Hotel Association both issued
responses to the speech and
AAHOA held its 2024 Spring
National Advocacy Conference
during the week of March 14.
The issues at hand include
the extension of tax credits,
handling of junk fees for
greater disclosure and transparency
and raising the federal minimum wage.
During SNAC, more than 200 AAHOA
leaders and members spent two days
in Washington, D.C. The conference
opened with a legislative learning
session at the Ronald Reagan Building
and International Trade Center, followed
by an evening Congressional Reception
at the Cannon House Office Building
and then a full day of Congressional
meetings.
“Each year we continue to see the
relationships grow between our AAHOA
Members and their elected officials,”
said Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA president
and CEO. “Our twice-yearly advocacy
conferences are quickly becoming the
foundation for shaping and driving
national policy and our members are
making it happen.”
Nearly 30 members of Congress met
with the AAHOA delegation, including
Republican Sen. Roger Marshall of
Kansas and California Democrat
Congressman Ro Khanna. Marshall
is a co-sponsor of the Credit Card
Competition Act that will promote fee,
security, and service competition among
credit card networks, and which AAHOA
supports. Khanna, the son of Indian
immigrants, told the AAHOA members
that representation is crucial to serving
Indian-American communities and
strengthening America's economic and
strategic partnership with India, such as
AAHOA’s “Made in India” initiative.
“As a champion of advocacy and
building relationships with elected
officials, AAHOA is proud to advocate
on behalf of the hotel industry in the
halls of Congress,” said Bharat Patel,
AAHOA chairman. “SNAC provides
AAHOA leaders the opportunity to learn
about the issues impacting our industry
and prepares them to have productive,
impactful meetings with their elected
officials on Capitol Hill. AAHOA’s
reputation, influence, and recognition in
Washington continues to grow, and it is
thanks to the AAHOA members who take
the time to make advocacy a part of their
business plan.”
The issues
Along with the Credit Card Competition
Act, top issues for AAHOA include
expanding access to capital by increasing
the SBA loan limit to $10 million
and supporting the LIONS Act. The
association also supports the Overtime
Pay Flexibility Act and the SEASONAL Act
as means to address the ongoing labor
shortage.
“AAHOA is strategically positioned to
address these pivotal issues at SNAC,”
Blake said. “As our members confront
escalating challenges, there has never
been a more opportune moment for
AAHOA to be in our nation’s capital. We
will continue to articulate our concerns,
establish meaningful relationships, and
lay the groundwork for impactful change
in the years ahead.”
Biden’s state of the union address did
not address every issue that concerns
AAHOA members, Patel said.
“President Biden's address
touched on topics such as
tax credits, junk fees, and
plans for increasing the
federal minimum wage;
however, AAHOA members
are currently grappling
with the tangible impacts
of rising inflation, a decline
in corporate travel, acute
workforce shortages, soaring
property insurance rates,
and escalating prices for
goods and services,” Patel
said. “AAHOA remains committed to
upholding our reputation as some of the
nation's most informed, engaged, and
knowledgeable association members in
Washington, D.C.”
AHLA pursues labor
relief, fee regulation
After Biden’s speech, AHLA released its
own legislative agenda.
“While AHLA’s outlook for the future of
the hotel industry is optimistic, hoteliers
are facing a number of hurdles at the
federal level,” AHLA said. “These include
labor shortages, stubborn inflation, and
a host of federal regulations that are
tying hoteliers up in red tape.”
AHLA’s priorities include:
Supporting the Hotel Fees
Transparency Act and the No Hidden
Fees Act that would create a single
fee-display standard for all lodging
businesses, including hotels, online
travel agencies, metasearch sites and
short-term rental platforms.
Seeking legislation to overturn the
National Labor Relations Board’s joint-
employer regulation, which makes it
more likely that hotel franchisers can
be held responsible for employees at
franchised hotels.
Challenging the U.S. Department
of Labor’s proposed overtime-
pay regulation and regulation that
changes the way workers are classified
as independent contractors or
employees.
AAHOA, AHLA set legislative
advocacy goals
Issues include tax credits, fees, labor shortage
More than 200 AAHOA leaders and members spent two days in Washington,
D.C., during its 2024 Spring National Advocacy Conference.
News
News
he American Hotel & Lodging
Association convened hotel
and sustainability leaders in
Washington for the second annual
“Responsible Stay Summit” on Feb. 28,
reaffirming the industry's dedication
to environmental sustainability. The
summit was part of AHLA’s 2022
Responsible Stay initiative and focused
on energy efficiency, waste reduction,
water conservation, and responsible
sourcing, AHLA said in a statement.
The summit addressed environmental,
social, and governance strategies, federal
energy policy, and green financing, while
offering crucial support to hoteliers in
their sustainability efforts, the statement
added.
This year's summit featured two
announcements: AHLA and the Hotel
Association of Canada unveiled a
partnership to oversee the Green Key
Global sustainability certification
program in the U.S. and Canada starting
April 1. Additionally, AHLA and Procure
Impact launched a Dignity of Work
Pledge, aiming to generate 100,000 hours
of paid employment for underserved
populations, thereby promoting
responsible sourcing practices.
“AHLA is proud to host the inspiring
Responsible Stay Summit, which is
designed to help hoteliers build a more
sustainable future for our guests, our
industry, and our planet,” said Chip
Rogers, AHLA’s president and CEO.
“Hoteliers can always count on AHLA for
the latest sustainability tools, resources,
and best practices in this fast-evolving
field.”
The event included speakers such as
Dan Feldman, partner at Covington, Ben
Feller, partner at Maslansky + Partners,
Greg Gershuny, executive director of the
Energy and Environment Program at The
Aspen Institute, and Emily Kreps, global
head of ESG and Sustainable Finance at
Deutsche Bank, the statement said.
‘Green Key Global’
The Green Key Global sustainability
certification program will be launched
in the U.S. and Canada on April 1, AHLA
said. The program evaluates hotels based
on key criteria such as energy and water
conservation, waste management, air
quality, and more, offering a roadmap for
ongoing enhancement.
“This partnership is a gamechanger
for the hotel industry in the U.S. and
Canada and takes our commitment to
sustainability to the next level,” said
Rogers. “Green Key Global provides
important third-party validation for
hotels’ sustainability efforts, and it gives
sustainability-minded travelers the
information they need to choose the
lodging options that are right for them.
AHLA and HAC will be working together
to promote these goals through this
important partnership.”
HAC established Green Key Global
in 1994 to certify hotels' environmental
policies, aligning its criteria with the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“We are so proud of the commitments
hotels are making on the ground as part
of this program,” said HAC President and
CEO Susie Grynol. “Establishing a Green
Key Global North American standard of
sustainability allows more properties to
elevate their leadership in this space, and
through this partnership, we believe we
can make sustainability accessible for all
hotels.”
In October, AHLA teamed up with
IncentiFind to help more than 30,000
AHLA members discover sustainability-
focused cost-saving opportunities,
resulting in significant operational
expense reductions totaling $70 billion in
incentives, including tax credits, grants,
and fee waivers.
AHLA offers hoteliers
multiple routes to a
sustainable future, including:
Enrolling in the Green Key Global
hotel sustainability certification
program.
Utilizing IncentiFind to access
financial incentives for sustainability
initiatives.
Committing to the Dignity of Work
Pledge for sustainable sourcing.
Learning food waste reduction best
practices through Hotel Kitchen.
Endorsing the Responsible Stay
principles.
AHLA hosts second annual 'Responsible
Stay Summit' in Washington
It extends AHLA's 2022 Responsible Stay initiative that promotes
environmental sustainability
The American Hotel & Lodging Association hosted its second annual Responsible Stay Summit in
Washington. Hotel and sustainability leaders attended to discuss ways to strengthen the industry's
commitment to environmental sustainability.
www.asianhospitality.com
99
APRIL 2024 ASIAN HOSPITALITY
— by J.D. Power
IN GUEST SATISFACTION
Among Economy Hotel Brands*
Sonesta’s Americas Best Value Inn. Best value for the
guest. Best value for the owner. Best value. Period.
• Low Flat Fees (per room per month)
• Owner-Friendly Contracts
• Reasonable Brand Standards
*Tied in 2023. For J.D. Power 2023 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards.
This advertisement is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. Offering by Franchise Disclosure Document only
where required by law from Sonesta RL Hotels Franchising Inc., 400 Centre St., Newton, MA. ©2024 Sonesta International Hotels Corporation.
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®
News
10
www.asianhospitality.com
May 2024 | Issue 225
he U.S. Senate voted
to block the National
Labor Relations Board’s
final definition of joint-
employer status, following up
on a similar bill passed by the
House. President Biden vetoed
the bill, but opponents of the
NLRB joint employer rule,
such as the American Hotel &
Lodging Association, claim the
Senate’s resolution was a “win
for hoteliers.”
After the House passed
its Congressional Review
Act against the NLRB rule in
January, the U.S. District Court
for the Eastern District of Texas
also issued an order blocking
the NLRB rule. AHLA supported
both efforts to block the NLRB
rule, calling the current joint
employer definition a threat to
the hotel franchise model.
“Today’s bipartisan Senate vote is a
win for hoteliers and small business
owners everywhere, and shows the rule
is out of step with Congress, the courts,
and America’s job creators. Lawmakers
from both parties in the House and
Senate realize the administration’s
joint-employer rule would acutely
suppress job creation for hoteliers and
other businesses, and therefore it needs
to be abandoned,” said Kevin Carey,
AHLA Interim president and CEO.
The NLRB ruling defines a joint
employer to be any company that
shares or codetermines one or more
essential terms and conditions of
employment. Those include ages,
benefits, and other compensation;
hours of work and scheduling; the
assignment and supervision of duties
to be performed; work rules and tenure
of employment.
The final rule rescinds the 2020 rule
that was promulgated by the prior
board and applies the new definition
of joint employer to any entity that
can control the essential terms of
employment whether or not such
control is exercised and without regard
to whether any such exercise of control
is direct or indirect.
Not likely to receive
Biden’s signature
The Senate version of the Congressional
Review Act was sponsored by Louisiana
Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, West
Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin
and Republican Minority Leader Mitch
McConnell. Manchin and Cassidy gave
similar reasons for supporting the
legislation.
“In West Virginia, more than 98
percent of our businesses are small
businesses, and they are the heart and
soul of our communities,” Manchin said.
“The NLRB’s joint employer rule would
shut the door for thousands of citizens
who want to start a business and fulfill
the American Dream when we should
be focused on bolstering our economic
growth and empowering Main Street
America. I’m glad our CRA resolution
has now passed both the House and the
Senate and I encourage President Biden
to accept this bipartisan, bicameral
rejection of this confusing and
unnecessary rule.”
“Saddling franchisers
with liability for thousands
of franchise owners that
actually operate the day-to-
day activities of small business
would be a sure way to destroy
the system of franchising.
This model has empowered
those underrepresented in the
business community, such as
women and people of color,
to become successful small
business owners and create jobs
for others,” said Cassidy. “The
Biden administration should
support workers and increase
economic opportunity, not
make it easier to forcibly and
coercively unionize workers
while undermining the business
model of the establishments they
work for.”
However on May 3, Biden did veto
the bill, saying the NLRB rule would
prevent companies from evading their
responsibility for employees’ working
conditions and nullify workers’ attempts
to organize to ensure their rights.
“Without the NLRB’s rule,
companies could more easily avoid
liability simply by manipulating
their corporate structure, like hiding
behind subcontractors or staffing
agencies,” Biden said in a statement.
“By hampering the NLRB’s efforts to
promote the practice and procedure of
collective bargaining, Republicans are
siding with union-busting corporations
over the needs of workers and their
unions.”
Carey said AHLA was disappointed
that Biden chose to veto the bill.
“Thankfully, a federal court has
already intervened and is blocking the
administration from implementing its
job-killing joint-employer rule following
a lawsuit from AHLA and other business
groups,” he said. “We stand ready to fight
any attempt by the NLRB to appeal the
court’s decision.”
Senate passes bill blocking
NLRB joint employer rule
President Biden vetoed the legislation that AHLA welcomed as expected
The U.S. Senate voted to block the National Labor Relations Board’s final
definition of joint-employer status that the American Hotel & Lodging
Association said would stifle job creation.