News and notes from around the interweb:
- Could the Equifax hack cost as little as $1 per person to settle?
By the way there’s now an app to tell if your credit card is being skimmed.
- Paulina Gretzky Loves Flying Private
- Unions are training hotel workers to face down immigration raids
The sessions, organized by the labor union Unite Here!, teach workers how to effectively stonewall ICE agents, emphasizing employees’ right to refuse to answer questions or show identification.
…In May the national AFL-CIO offered its affiliates a 200-page toolkit explaining how to train workers to respond to immigration raids.
Unions also are trying to use collective bargaining to tie companies’ hands. Unite Here says curbing collaboration with ICE will be a priority in bargaining for the 270,000 hotel, casino, and food-service workers it represents, almost half of whose contracts expire within the next year. - Hotels are saving money on staff by making guests go downstairs to get food from a “grab ‘n go” instead of utilizing their time working efficiently in their rooms and bringing the food to them. Hotel News Now predicts “all but the most luxurious hotels will likely make the move in the near future.”
It was a big deal when the Hilton New York announced they were junking room service four years ago. Now hotels are increasingly competing with local food delivery services like Seamless and Postmates as well.
- Why an airplane can still fly with engine failure
- Boeing takes trade law abuse to a whole new level (HT: Cranky Flier) Boeing is one of the largest government contractors and lobbies extensively for subsidies so always view their arguments for trade purity through the lens of self-interest.
I have no problems with room service itself being discontinued as long as the kitchen remains open through the night as it does now – I have zero issues with going downstairs to pick up my food and taking it back to my room in what’s essentially a $10+ elevator ride. Half the time I’m calling it in as I leave the client site and pick it up when I get back to the lobby anyways.
Not super sad to see room service go. If you really don’t want to leave the room, Uber Eats is a much better option. Usually hotel restaurants aren’t the best to begin with and once you add the service charge its super expensive.
I’d much rather grab food from a local favorite or a national chain that I know is good.
Absolutely will not stay in a hotel without room service, or with room service that is glorified gran and go items. Marriott has already completely lost my business over this and other cost cutting and Millenialization.
Seriously, if I can go downstairs, get a meal from a real restaurant, and not have to pay room service fees, tray services, and mark-up prices (over the hotel restaurant) that’s a great and cost-effective use of my time.