The swell of organization that could result across properties of all sizes would create hardship in the industry, but the jury’s still out on whether or not the bill will pass in its current form, let alone pass at all, said David Sherwyn, associate professor of law and academic director for The Center for Hospitality Research at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.
Though Obama is clearly pro-labor and had a lot of union support behind his candidacy, Sherwyn said he expects something in the middle of labor law reform. EFCA won’t pass in its current form, but some form of labor reform will.
Healthcare reform. Healthcare is the biggest point of debate with unions, according to Wall. “It’s not compensation. It’s in the benefits.”
That may be the case, but Sherwyn said healthcare reform isn’t a union-versus-management problem.
“This is one that we’re looking at together,” he said. “This is a U.S. problem. We need to have real discussions about healthcare. We can’t afford it anymore. It can’t continue.”
Sherwyn believes national healthcare will be the end result.
“I don’t think they want to put it on business,” he says.
Sherwyn also admitted he has no idea how the government is going to achieve that result.
Wall said that while a single-payer system is in discussion, a parallel system comprising government-provided insurance with individually purchased plans is more likely.
Immigration. Though not as immediate a threat to the industry as EFCA, immigration reform could have just as great an impact down the road.
“It’s going to resurface as an issue as the economy rebounds,” Makarsky said.
But for now, it has taken a back seat.
“Finding labor isn’t the most difficult thing right now,” Sherwyn said. “It’s holding on to people and not laying people off right now that’s a challenge.”