Nevada State AFL-CIO Opposes Senator Dondero-Loop’s Bill to Repeal Protections for Hospitality Employees And Put Hotel Industry Profits Over Workers

CARSON CITY —  This afternoon, Nevada State AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Susie Martinez testified in opposition to Senate Bill 441, spearheaded by Senator Marilyn Dondero-Loop. The legislation would repeal Senate Bill 4, a bill passed in the legislature’s 2020 special session, which implemented protections for hospitality workers and established mandatory room cleanings in Nevada’s hotels at the height of the pandemic. In January’s State of the State Address, Governor Joe Lombardo called for the revocation of Senate Bill 4.

“Our hospitality workers propped up Nevada’s number one industry during the pandemic, and in return, this bill would leave them in fear of losing their jobs after putting their own health on the line for so long. Daily room cleanings not only keep guests safe, but also ensure that our housekeepers are protected from being overworked. I am appalled that a supposed friend of labor would introduce legislation that would only hurt our workers,” said Executive Secretary-Treasurer Susie Martinez. “Hotel executives are raking in record profits now because workers allowed their businesses to survive—there is no reason why they shouldn’t be able to retain and pay employees what they deserve. No Nevada family should have to suffer at the hands of money-hungry CEOs, but that’s exactly what will happen if the legislature passes this harmful bill.”

Ending daily room cleaning would lead to a loss of 39% of all United States jobs in hotel housekeeping, primarily held by women of color. Such job eliminations would lead to housekeepers losing $4.8 million in wages each year.

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