(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) - The Western New York Workers’ Rights Board (WRB) has released a new report title: Hostile Hotel: Violations of Workers’ Rights at the Buffalo Hyatt Regency, where Workers have been fighting to Unionize for more than two years now. 

In the case of the Buffalo Hyatt, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a rare Gissel Bargaining Order, which is issued when the NLRB determines the Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs) committed by management to be so severe and numerous that it would be impossible for a fair Union Certification Election to be held.

Originally, the issues faced by Employees that drove them to seek Unionization included low pay, disrespect from management, heavy workloads, a lack of voice in the workplace, reduced hours and unpredictable scheduling, as well as poor treatment of their Immigrant colleagues.

An excerpt from Hostile Hotel: Violations of Workers’ Rights at the Buffalo Hyatt Regency:

During a WRB hearing held in June 2025, Hyatt Buffalo Worker Tiba Salvatore’s testimony spoke to her experience organizing with the Union and management's behavior in response: “(A) Front-Desk Agent, Tiba Salvatore, spoke about how proud she felt to be one of the Workers who ‘helped lead the charge for a Union.’ We weren’t asking for anything outrageous. We wanted a voice, fairness and dignity. But the moment we started organizing, everything changed.”

Management, however, was allegedly hostile and racist.

She claimed that Workers of Color were targeted: “I witnessed a manager casually use the ‘N-word’ right in front of me. No hesitation. No Shame. The same manager also referred to the Middle East, where my family is from, as garbage.”

Despite management’s attacks, she said the Workers “stood together.”

“What I experienced was exhausting, demoralizing and, at times, deeply personal - but I still believe what we were fighting for. It was about respect. It was about refusing to let fear win,” she said.

Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation President Denise Abbott said: "The disrespect and illegal actions that Hyatt Regency Workers in Buffalo have been forced to endure are unacceptable. I am proud to be a member of the WNY Workers' Rights Board - a body that remains laser-focused on exposing violations of Workers' Rights and uplifting the voices of Workers in our region. In hotels, schools, hospitals, construction sites, coffee shops and factories, Workers deserve dignity and respect on the job. In the case of the Hyatt Regency, the pattern of discrimination, illegal influence, surveillance, monetary theft and unsafe working conditions created by Doug Jemal and hotel management must be met with uncompromising legal, financial, and political consequences until justice is served to these Workers."

Gary Bonadonna, Jr. - who serves as Vice President of Workers United, said: “The work done by the Buffalo Workers Rights Board and Coalition for Economic Justice could not be more important or more timely. Their community report communicates what we have known for a long time: The Hyatt Regency Buffalo is a Labor Law violator that mistreats and discriminates against its Workers. This Board represents the moral compass of the community. Buffalo is a ‘Union Town’ and it will have a Union Hotel whether management at the Hyatt likes it or not. The Hyatt has been ordered in an extraordinarily rare move for the Trump NLRB to recognize the Union in part because of their egregious conduct. We thank the Buffalo WRB and CEJ for uplifting the voices of Workers in fighting for fair wages, safe working conditions non-discrimination and a Union." 

The Western New York Workers’ Rights Board is a part of the Coalition for Economic Justice (CEJ), whose mission is to unite member Labor, faith, and community organizations and activist with allies and resources to win campaigns that promote economic justice for all through building strong, diverse and sustainable communities.

To Directly Access The Report, Go To: Hyatt Report WRB 101326.pdf - Google Drive