Austin Shafran

Dad of Mason & Teddy, partner of @JennShafran

[Hotel and Gaming Trades Council @NYHTC]

We are proud to announce that our agreement has officially been ratified by a margin of 99.98%, with over 6,000 members voting.

This is without a doubt one of the most emotional days in the history of our union. For the first time in over a decade, members had the opportunity to physically cast their ballot to ratify a contract that is historic not just because of its wages and benefits, but for what it represents for nearly 30,000 workers and their families.

[Austin Shafran @AustinShafran]

Congrats to @NYHTC! Another amazing achievement that will improve the lives of some of the hardest working and most deserving people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Extraordinary leaders, staff + great members is and always will be the formula for success.

[Hotel and Gaming Trades Council @NYHTC]

Our new contract ensures hotel workers will have the best wages and benefits in the country, and delivers life-changing financial stability to the 30,000 members who are the backbone of the hospitality industry. This is an extraordinary victory for hotel workers, the industry, and all of New York City.

https://t.co/j2wggbM8sp

[Nick Reisman @NickReisman]

Some notable pushback from HTC’s allies amid their contract talks. At least a dozen similar tweets this morning from elected officials like Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and some candidates too.

[Chris Sommerfeldt @C_Sommerfeldt]

NYC's influential hotel workers union is endorsing Jessica Ramos' primary challenger, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, dealing a big blow to the Senate Labor Committee chair whose political standing has faltered since she aligned herself with Cuomo's mayoral bid.

https://t.co/REcUUt4d05

[Manny Pastreich @MannyPastreich]

You can’t have healthcare affordability without hospital pricing accountability. No one knows this better than @SpeakerMenin who created the nation’s first Office of Healthcare Accountability to fight back against sky-high costs with real pricing transparency.

[Chris Sommerfeldt @C_Sommerfeldt]

New: NYC's hotel workers union is backing democratic socialist Assembly candidates after being asked to do so by Mamdani's team.

It's part of a political shift that comes as the union could need Mamdani's help in contract fights this year.

In Playbook: https://t.co/cwQSt2N258

[Sahalie Donaldson @SahalieD]

Hotel and Gaming Trades President Rich Maroko is here too. He thanks the mayor for making it clear that the city is “on the side of workers.”

The union’s contract is up with the city in July. Maroko standing with the mayor on this initiative likely bodes well for negotiations.

[Jeff Coltin @JCColtin]

e.g. https://t.co/AC5Wj1fUil

[Austin Shafran @AustinShafran]

Can’t remember the last time I tweeted twice in the same day but the announcement of this amazing crew definitely warrants a repeat performance. Congrats Speaker @JulieMenin on assembling a fantastic team of public servants.

[Speaker Julie Menin @SpeakerMenin]

I’m proud to announce this exceptional, experienced team of senior staff, who are all deeply committed to serving NYC.

This slate includes two historic appointments: the first female Chief of Staff in the Speaker’s Office, and the @NYCCouncil’s first-ever Chief Equity Officer.

[Austin Shafran @AustinShafran]

Truly an honor to have worked with the dynamic @NYHTC to help elect the amazing force of nature otherwise known as @JulieMenin as Speaker of the City Council. What a fun and fulfilling ride it’s been. Excited for more to come.

[Hotel and Gaming Trades Council @NYHTC]

The election of @JulieMenin as Speaker of the City Council is an extremely proud moment for HTC. Through her leadership on labor policy & worker protection initiatives, Julie has shown she isn’t just a friend - she’s part of the labor movement family. We look forward to continuing to work alongside her to create a better, stronger, & more affordable city for all NYers.

[Julie Menin @JulieMenin]

Congratulations to @ZohranKMamdani on his historic election to become the next mayor of New York City. His message on affordability — from housing to childcare — is a vision I share and look forward to working with him on.

I’m excited to collaborate with Mayor-elect Mamdani on an agenda that meets the challenges of this moment and withstands the threats we face from a Trump-led Washington.

[Austin Shafran @AustinShafran]

Very proud of the role @NYHTC played in joining the incredible movement @ZohranKMamdani inspired that led to his historic election tonight. Can’t wait to see what they can accomplish together.

[Hotel and Gaming Trades Council @NYHTC]

Congratulations to Zohran Mamdani on becoming the next Mayor of New York City. HTC could not be more proud of the historic campaign Zohran ran and of our members who poured their hearts into making this dream a reality. Zohran’s commitment to putting working New Yorkers above elitist corporate interests is everything we stand for as a union and we look forward to working with him as he takes that fight from the campaign trail to City Hall.

[Zohran Kwame Mamdani @ZohranKMamdani]

Meet Shakira. Ten years ago, she was living in a shelter with her three kids, working at a non-union hotel.

Now she's a member of @NYHTC.

Unions are how working people can build a dignified life. But in a city as expensive as ours, they need local government on their side.

[NY Coalition for Affordable Hospitals @C4AH_NY]

Anticompetitive business practices are allowing New York’s wealthiest hospital system to charge unjustifiably high prices. It’s time to stop putting profit over people.

https://t.co/SWECLlBO0s

[Austin Shafran @AustinShafran]

@megzwy Congrats!! An already amazing team @NYHTC just got another all-star.

[Austin Shafran @AustinShafran]

@chriscoffeytalk @GabyGuilmart @NYHTC @TuskStrategies @ShontellSmith Congrats! Gaby is amazing and will be a great addition to an already fantastic group at Tusk.

[Austin Shafran @AustinShafran]

.@32BJSEIU and the @C4AH_NY once again leading the fight for #affordablehealthcare. As a parent I want to be able to take my kids to their pediatrician for a routine flu shot without having to pay more just because a big hospital took over the building.

[NY Coalition for Affordable Hospitals @C4AH_NY]

“‘Our members count on being able to go to their doctor’s office to take their kid for a flu shot, get an MRI, or an IV bag and they shouldn’t have to pay inflated prices just because a hospital took over that facility,' said @32BJSEIU's @MannyPastreich."
https://t.co/5kfwtKpPyw

[NY Coalition for Affordable Hospitals @C4AH_NY]

“‘Our members count on being able to go to their doctor’s office to take their kid for a flu shot, get an MRI, or an IV bag and they shouldn’t have to pay inflated prices just because a hospital took over that facility,' said @32BJSEIU's @MannyPastreich."
https://t.co/5kfwtKpPyw

[NY Coalition for Affordable Hospitals @C4AH_NY]

“'We cannot let Big Hospitals become the next Big Oil or Big Steel, with people being forced to pay more for the same basic procedure,' said State Senator @LizKrueger, Senate Finance Chair and co-lead sponsor of the Fair Pricing Act."
https://t.co/5kfwtKpPyw

[Senator Liz Krueger @LizKrueger]

The affordability of healthcare shouldn’t depend on what building it’s delivered in. Capping the cost of outpatient services through the Fair Pricing Act will ensure patients have access to the same fair price wherever they go for their healthcare needs. https://t.co/xdrHEFqIm7