The owner of Los Angeles' famed Chateau Marmont has agreed to let its workers unionize and abandoned plans to convert the Hollywood hangout for the rich and beautiful to a members-only hotel.
The agreement to allow employees to be represented by Unite Here Local 11 was announced Thursday by the labor organization and the hotel owner after a neutral arbitrator validated the results of a vote by the hotel's 64 workers to join the union. The owner, entrepreneur Andre Balazs, had previously fought to keep his workers from unionizing.
"Both the Chateau Marmont and Unite Here Local 11 are pleased with the new relationship," the two sides said in a joint statement. "We believe that it solidifies the foundation of the Chateau's historic success: the commitment to its guests and employees, both of which are famous for their loyalty and longevity."
