A fair ordinance

I sought New Haven’s 30 alders to consider a “Recall Rights” ordinance Mayor Justin Elicker has presented.

My view stems from being a proud member of the Local 217, as well as a loyal employee of 22 years at The Omni Hotel at Yale. This pandemic has drastically affected millions, including not only my family, which includes my wife recently laid off from the Omni as a non-union front desk worker after over a decade at the hotel, but also longtime coworkers who are family. Fine examples include Judy, with whom I have worked for all of my 22 years, and also Angel, another loyal 22-year employee. That is almost seven decades of service for starters, which the “Worker Right to Recall” needs to protect.

The letter C is prevalent in my thoughts pertaining to the ordinance. It all begins with the dreaded COVID, which has required all of us to think outside the box for solutions society is facing now. The others, I believe, represent the views of Mayor Elicker, and those instilled at the Omni from the owner down — compassion, caring, consideration.

We understand how difficult times are for hoteliers are. The ordinance, though, simply extends recall rights from 10 months two years, so I fail to understand not wanting loyal employees to return. A quote I read in an article pertaining to the ordinance mentioned businesses bringing back senior employees as a “common practice” already, so no need for a mandate.

If it is already a comfortable situation for hoteliers, there should be no issue with the ordinance whatsoever. I believe everyone involved would agree that relieving uncertainty and stress from loyal, longtime employees is a goal worth reaching for. We realize much will be based on business returning, but overall, my view sees fairness and compassion in the ordinance.

Joseph Curtis

Branford