WHY THE HOTEL WORKERS UNION WON

When I read "Hotel Workers' Union Morphed Into an Imposing Political Force."*  I thought of many friends who had worked so heard to make this happen but were not around to see it come to pass.

I lived in Atlantic City in 1960. The City was called the Playground of the World.  Located on Absecon lsland it had a boardwalk that ran from the inter coastal waters to where the Bay met the Atlantic Ocean. The inland waterway was a beehive of activity. Its docks provided a safe haven for small sailing boats to giant, luxurious yachts.  Streets held bars,  seafood restaurants and bait shops all privately owned,  hired seasonal workers for minimal salary and  tips.

On the Ocean side of the Island huge castle-like hotels fronted the Boardwalk and beaches.  Each hotel was staffed by people who provided everything a guest could desire.  Food, drinks, hair and maid services, valet and babysitters were provided with ease and often at all hours.  The Traymore, Chalfonte Haddon Hall, and the Claridge rented suites for the summer season or held them year around.  Part of employee training and rules was that guest needs were the priority for which the employee was responsible. Yet, no job security or health benefits were part of management's responsibility. In the 70's the City began to look seedy. Shops like Reese Palley's, Charles of Atlantic City and Needlecraft worked to allow Casino Gambling to turn the City around. Casino gambling was going to bring back prosperity.

I left Atlantic City to work in Washington DC.  I tried to keep up with friends who remained in Atlantic City, but I don't know really how much injustice and corruption still exists.  I do know that when I read the account of Peter Ward, president of the Hotel Trades Union and what he said to people to organize them I was thrilled.  Ward said, the definition of stupid is a person who doesn't exercise some kind of enlightened self-interest to gain the power to be heard and to do it through the
democratic process.

Now get out there and vote!

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 *New York Times November 3
J. David Goodman