Unionized workers at nine major L.A. hotels ratified a new contract that puts an end to a 14-month dispute and achieves the goal of aligning expiration dates in 2006 with other union locals around the country.

The 2,500 union members represented by Unite HERE Local 11 voted Wednesday to approve the contract by a 98 percent margin. The results were announced Thursday at a downtown L.A. rally.

The deal, which assures labor peace for at least the coming summer season, averted a lockout at six hotels belonging to the Los Angeles Hotel Employer's Council. Both sides credited Mayor-elect Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa, who mediated an all-night bargaining session.

The new agreement will expire Nov. 30, 2006 - in the same year that hotel contracts ends in many other cities, giving Unite HERE more national bargaining power. Contracts in most other major cities expire earlier in the year.

The deal calls for non-tipped workers to receive a raise of 65 cents per hour over the life of the contract, while tipped employees will get additional pay during vacations. The contract also maintains full employer-paid health care benefits.

More News About the Los Angeles Hotel Workers' Struggle for a Fair Contract >>