One of the most politically influential unions in New York politics is expanding its presence in New Jersey.
The Hotel and Games Trade Council will open its first office in New Jersey on Wednesday, and employees of 10 New Jersey hotels will vote to ratify contracts with the union. This will increase the total number of stores in New Jersey to 57.
The powerful union is headed by Richard of Morocco, a resident of Moncler, who chose his hometown as the location for the union’s new office.
The union represents about 40,000 employees in the hotel and gaming industry in New York and New Jersey, including about 6,000 members who live and work in New Jersey.
Morocco is a political ally of Governor Phil Murphy, who appointed him to the board of New Jersey Transit. He took first place in the union in 2020 after the resignation of Peter Ward.
In 2019, Morocco and its union spent more than $ 1 million to pass a referendum to regulate the short-term rental industry in Jersey City as part of an expensive fight with Airbnb and other short-term rental companies.
Voters approved the rulingwhich had the support of Mayor Stephen Fulop, with a landslide of 70%.
The son of Polish and Brazilian immigrants, Morocco grew up in Cherry Hill and graduated from Rutgers and Georgetown Law School. He spent two decades on the Hotel Trade Council and served as secretary of records and chief attorney when Ward resigned.
Last year, Morocco became the first major union leader approve Eric Adams as mayor New York.
