Councilman Michael A. Solomon, Chairman of the Council Committee on Ordinances, will introduce legislation at the Thursday, September 3^rd Council meeting to assist employees in hospitality businesses in Providence. The “Hospitality Business Protection and Worker Retention” ordinance is being co-sponsored by eight city councilors.

The ordinance states that, “Providence finds that tourism, particularly the return of repeat visitors, is a vital element of the city’s economy,” and seeks to promote a stable workforce at hospitality businesses within the “Convention Center District” downtown. Hospitality businesses are defined as hotel or food service operations within the Dunkin Donuts Center, the Rhode Island Convention Center, and Veterans Memorial Auditorium, or within any building physically connected to these facilities.

Solomon said that, “The City has committed resources to developing and promoting tourism within the district, and has a vested interest in ensuring that Providence remains a tourist destination. Hospitality businesses frequently change ownership, and new owners often do not retain the existing service employees, or substantially reduce their wages and/or benefits. The potential result is a lack of continuity and stability in the service provided to guests at these businesses.”

The ordinance would provide that existing employees be retained for a period of six months after a change in ownership at any hotel or food service operation within the affected properties. At the conclusion of the six months, the new owner would conduct performance reviews of employees, and if satisfactory, employees would be offered continued employment under terms and conditions established by the new owner.

Councilman Solomon explained that, “We hope the ordinance will help to ensure that experienced and knowledgeable employees at these hotel and food services facilities—many of whom are Providence residents—are retained, providing an extra layer of support for working families in our city.”

Council President Peter S. Mancini, along with council members Aponte, Hassett, Jackson, Lombardi, Luna, Narducci, and Yurdin are co-sponsoring Solomon’s ordinance, which will be introduced at the September 3^rd Council meeting and referred to the Committee on Ordinances. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.