We are alerting you to a Senate Bill 668 that concerns the lodging industry. As outlined below the bill contains many items that could negatively impact businesses in Connecticut.
Of particular concern is the definition of an employer. As currently written, the language would impact franchisees.As you know, this could dramatically impact many hotels in Connecticut. We urge you to reach out to your senator TODAY as the vote may take place as soon as this afternoon.
If you cannot get your senator to vote no on the entire bill, please urge them to remove the franchisee language from the bill.
Contact information for your legislators is found below. Please call or email them immediately.
Language of concern:
"(2) "Employer" means (A) an employer, as defined in section 31-71a 5 of the general statutes, that employs not less than five hundred 6 employees globally and, for an employer that is a restaurant where food 7 is prepared, served and consumed on the premises, such employer has 8 not less than thirty restaurant locations globally, or (B) a franchisee, as 9 defined in section 42-133e of the general statutes, if the global network 10 of franchises employs not less than five hundred employees in the 11 aggregate;"
Senator Christine Cohen
(Branford, Durham, Guilford, Madison)
860-240-0455
Senator Norm Needleman
(Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, Westbrook)
860-240-0428
Senator Steve Cassano
(Andover, Bolton, Glastonbury, Manchester)
860-240-5302
Senator Will Haskell
(Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, Wilton)
860-240-0068
Senator James Maroney
(Milford, Orange, West Haven, Woodbridge)
860-240-0381
Senator Julie Kushner
(Bethel, Danbury, New Fairfield, Sherman)
860-240-0509
We need to protect our entire industry, plus we know if a bill like this passes, it will only be a matter of time before they lower the threshold and start to target all hospitality businesses. Even if you get a voicemail today, please leave a message and also send along an email…there is a draft below to help.
Dear Senator or Representative ______,
My name is ____ and I own/operate _____ in your district. As I’m sure you are aware, the hospitality industry has been severely impacted by the pandemic. Several hotels in our state have permanently closed their doors over the past year. The industry is not only struggling to recover but also dealing with the challenges of bringing employees back to work. Now is not the time to consider proposals like SB 668, AAC A Fair Work Week Schedule.
The lodging industry is an attractive industry for people from many walks of life for various reasons, but flexibility for employees is absolutely one of the most desirable aspects. This legislation takes that away. Employees and employers alike enjoy a mutually beneficial scheduling relationship. Our industry provides this flexibility and some examples include a single parent managing child care, a student working around their class schedule or someone who wants to add a second job.
The following examples provide a brief list of issues hotel operators will be faced with should this bill become law:
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Last Minute Cancellations (ex. If someone cancels inside 72 hours, the employer cannot change their staffing schedule and would have to pay staff even if they don’t come in)
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Last Minute Bookings for Parties/Events (ex. If someone is trying to schedule a party or maybe a Bereavement, the restaurateur could ask for more staff, but the staff don’t need to come in per this bill)
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11 Hour Mandate doesn’t work, especially on busy weekends (ex. Mother’s Day - Late Saturday Night and then early Brunch)
I urge you to vote NO on SB 668. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Your name
Property name
Phone number
Email address
