Jobs at new Hotel Indigo Available to LES Residents
By Chelsea Jupin
Local residents will be given 30 percent of the more than 100 jobs expected to be created when the Hotel Indigo opens on Orchard Street next year through an agreement reached between Assemblyman Sheldon Silver, the Lower East Side Employment Network (LESEN) and the InterContinental Hotel Group.
LESEN will use its extensive resources within the community to recruit and help train employees for the hotel.
The group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which, in addition to securing jobs for Lower East Side residents, will establish a process that allows workers to join the New York Hotel Trades Council union to earn a living wage and enjoy free family health care and retirement security.
David Garza, Executive Director of Henry Street Settlement, who signed the MOU on behalf of LESEN said: “The local hiring commitment we’ve achieved here is a win, win, win for the Lower East Side. Our residents benefit from access to quality employment opportunities, Hotel Indigo benefits from a customized recruitment process with trusted partners, and the community benefits across the board. Henry Street Settlement is proud to be part of the Network and we’re grateful to the Speaker’s Office and all of the stakeholders for caring enough about the community to position this initiative to succeed.”
Gaspar Caro, LESEN Coordinator, said: “This initiative makes sure that anyone living in the Lower East Side has a shot at a hotel career in their neighborhood, and that the Hotel Indigo and other hospitality businesses can find skilled candidates in the area. Anyone interested in advancing their career via job opportunities at Hotel Indigo, and other businesses in the Lower East Side and across New York City, should visit their nearest LES Employment Network agency.”
The Lower East Side Employment Network is a consortium of local non-profits and Community Board 3, including Chinese American Planning Council, Chinatown Manpower Project, The Door, Grand Street Settlement, Henry Street Settlement, University Settlement and GOLES,. It provides job training services and other skills to local residents and works with businesses to place them in jobs.
Hotel Indigo will be located at 180 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
