By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV, www.therealwv.com
Union employees at The Greenbrier agreed to a new two-year contract with hotel ownership in a vote on Tuesday.
Jay Justice, Chairman of The Greenbrier and son of US Senator Jim Justice, said, “We are pleased to have reached a mutually beneficial agreement with the GCLU and its affiliated unions. This extension reflects our ongoing commitment to our dedicated union team members and to the continued success of the resort.”
Justice also expressed appreciation for the collaborative leadership of union officials including Workers United International President Lynne Fox and Peter Bostic, Director of Bargaining, Representation, and Education for MARJB.
Bostic said of the contract, “It was ratified by the members, and we’re hopeful that the future of the hotel is successful.”
According to the terms of the new contract, workers will receive a 2.6% pay increase this year (matching the rise in the consumer price index) and a 2.4% increase next year. They will keep their current health care through The Amalgamated National Health Fund.
Employees had been working on an extension of the previous contract since May 1.
Last summer during the previous labor agreement, the hotel fell behind on payments for employee health care. That issue was resolved and the hotel remains current on their payments according to employees.
The Greenbrier Hotel is the largest employer in Greenbrier County, attracting social guests, conference business, professional sporting events, and more each year. Tourists spent close to $400 million in rural Greenbrier County, WV, in 2022, with most of that attached to stays at the historic hotel.
