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Sima Patel
Kalb, Dan; Guillen, Abel; McElhaney, Lynette; Campbell Washington, Annie; Gallo, Noel; Brooks, Desley; Reid,
Larry; At Large
Response to the allegations made by Unite Here Local 2850
Sunday, October 11, 2015 5:49:22 PM
Letter to City Council 10.7.15.pdf

Dear Honorable Members of Oakland City Council,

Please find a letter attached in response to allegations made at the September 30th special council meeting by Unite Here
Local 2850.

Thank you.
Sima Patel
510-301-4887

Oakland , CA

Dear Honorable Members of Oakland City Council,

As you are well aware representatives of Unite Here Local 2850 made comments
regarding our company during the September 30th special council meeting. They
alleged that our company was not in compliance with Oaklands minimum wage law
and alleged that we violated unknown worker rights, based on an anonymous
complaint by an alleged employee. While we remain uncertain what we are
specifically being accused of doing that is wrong, we deny these general allegations.
Of course, we are actively working with the City to fully investigate this matter.

As some of you may be aware, we are in the process of seeking entitlements on a
new hotel. Unite Here wants to unionize that project. They asked us to sign a
document which would essentially make it impossible for us to fully discuss our
view on unionization with our workforce. We refused and now the union is trying
to smear our good names in the hopes of transforming a land use issue into a labor
issue.

We met with union representatives at the urging of the Mayor. While we will not
sign away our rights to discuss such an important issue with our employees once
the hotel is built and the union attempts to organize our workforce, we stated that
we will take no action that interferes with lawful efforts to unionize our employees.
Apparently, that was not good enough for Unite Here. They are now running a
smear campaign aimed at getting to somehow force us to agree to unionization.

As stated above, we believe that we have been in full compliance with the Oakland
Minimum Wage Ordinance since it was adopted. The anonymous complaint filed
with the City of Oakland is currently being investigated and we are fully cooperating
with the Citys Contract Compliance Department. City staff interviewed our
employees and we are in the process of providing additional supporting
documentation pursuant to their request. We are confident the Department will
find no wrongdoing or ill intent when the investigation concludes.

Not only did we take all actions we understood to be required to be fully compliant
with Oaklands ordinance, we went a step further. Although not required by any
law, we made the wages enjoyed by our Oakland employees also available to our
employees in Alameda. We did so because we believe in parity and fairness for all
team members.

The Holiday Inn Express opened its doors in 1999. During the last 16 years we do
not believe we have ever had a claim filed with any local, state, or federal regulatory
agency. We have a long track record of great relations with our employees, some of

Oakland , CA

whom have worked for our company since the hotel opened in 1999. This minimum
wage complaint is the first of its kind of which we are aware.

We have always strived to provide our employees with a positive workplace. Our
company philosophy stems from having happy employees, as happy employees
translates to happy guests. Our hotels are consistently ranked at the top in terms of
guest service and satisfaction. It is impossible to be successful in this business for
over 16 years if you dont take care of your people.

Unfortunately, special interest groups often pursue other agendas when they make
complaints and sometimes make claims that have no basis in fact. As an Oakland
based company with a long history that strives for excellence and treats each and
every employee with respect, we are disappointed and disheartened at the lengths
to which this group will apparently go to advance and promote their agenda.

Our goal is to bring another, much needed, hotel to Oakland that will create new
jobs, badly needed new hotel rooms, and significant transit occupancy tax revenue,
and which will also provide great benefit to the citizens and business communities
in Oakland.

We have worked with many of you over the years and you know our dedication to
our great city. For Council Members who have not had a decades long interaction
with us, we welcome the opportunity to meet with you to answer any questions you
may have. Please let me know if you would like to meet with us.



Sincerely,




Sima Patel
510-301-4887
2260504.1