Workers Win Right to Recall in Howard County

Recently in this space you read how Maryland Catholic Labor Network members joined hotel workers and community organizations testifying in support of “right to recall” for hospitality workers in Howard County, Maryland. Right to recall laws offer hope to hotel workers laid off during the pandemic, directing employers who are ready to reopen for business to offer employment to their idled career employees before seeking replacement workers. We are pleased to report that the Howard County Council voted 4-1 in support of right to recall, giving workers in that community the same rights that hospitality workers in Baltimore, DC and cities and states across the country had already secured. Unfortunately, an amendment excluding contracted workers was included in the final bill. Let’s pray that the owners of the Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel, whose stubborn resistance to this commonsense personnel policy inspired the county initiative, comply with the law in good faith.