The First Star has heard that this hotel is engaged in some serious cost-cutting. Apparently they have a no overtime rule which currently translates in to hotel workers doing a lot of unpaid overtime in order to meet their obligations. Maintenance and supplies like soap, shampoo and even toilet paper are low – all the time. As are supplies of linen and towels. Nor are there are not enough uniforms to go around.
Unsurprisingly, the hotel union officials have been denied access to the staff lunch room. As you can imagine, this is the only place workers can have discussions about these solutions to these kinds of issues with their colleagues. Denial of access to the lunch room is effectively denial of access to union support and information.
Stamford Hotels within Australia have implemented an environmental sustainability strategy termed “Go Green”. This includes providing an incentive (a 20% discount at the hotel restaurant) for all guests who reuse their towels, or choose not to have their room serviced
Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport has implemented water saving initiatives including installing trigger gun flow regulators in the kitchen, ensuring the laundry reuses the rinse water, and installing water efficient shower heads in guest rooms.
Once again we have got to ask is this greenwash or an authentic commitment to preserve the environment for future generations? No one really knows and that’s a problem for this hotel and every other luxury hotel in Australia. This lack of a consistent, authoritative and transparent environmental rating system really means that no one can be sure if they’re being snowed by marketing or actually making a difference.
