Friday, February 23, 2024

New NLRB Joint Employer Rule Delayed Until March 

This week the federal judge overseeing a court challenge to the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) “joint employer” rule ordered that the effective date of February 26, 2024, be delayed to March 11, 2024. 

The NLRB’s proposed new joint employer standard will dramatically increase the liability risks of the franchisor-franchisee relationship, as well as service providers and third-party companies. Hoteliers could be jointly liable for labor violations committed by an entity with which they only have an arms-length business relationship. The NLRB’s new joint employer rule would replace a 2020 rule that clearly deemed firms to be joint employers only when they have “direct and immediate control of another firm’s workers.”

This short-lived but good news signals that the judge will issue a thorough opinion by the new deadline. A copy of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s comments on the proposed new rule can be found here .

Hoteliers! Join Iowa Restaurant Operators in Calls

to Senators Grassley and Ernst for Tax Relief  

In a rare moment of DC bipartisanship, the House recently passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, which will expand working capital by restoring full business interest expense deductibility to support payroll growth and expansions and accelerating 100% bonus depreciation to bring back full and immediate expensing of equipment and vehicle purchases.

 

The recent expiration of these tax policies has already had a negative impact on many hospitality operators. In fact, limiting full depreciation and amortization has strained the industry’s ability to invest. With business interest expenses limited, some hotel operators have seen their tax burdens increase by up to 30%.  

 

Our sister organization the Iowa Restaurant Association has created an action alert asking for Iowa’s senators to push HR 7024 over the finish line. Please join them by using the alert link below to show your support and to share how important this tax legislation is to the hotel industry as well.

Take Action Now!

H-2B Visas Webinar with AHLA: Debriefing Summer 2024 Season

AHLA is hosting an H-2B visa program webinar Wednesday, Feb. 28 at noon  with their partner, Keith Pabian of Pabian Law and Seasonal Connect, who will dive into how best to utilize H-2B visa holders at your property, with a focus on solutions to make the H-2B visa program impactful at your organization.

Topics to be covered:

  • Overview of H-2B visas
  • Summer vs winter-season property visa programs
  • Recap of 2023 summer-season H-2B visa lottery
  • Understanding of government delays and current trends
  • How best to prepare for the winter 2024-2025 season

We are in a new world of H-2B visas for both summer and winter-season lodging organizations. We hope that you will join us for this webinar to ensure that your property is set up to succeed with your seasonal staffing!

Register Here

Join Fellow Operators at Upcoming Monthly Member Meeting

March 6, 2024 | 5-7 PM

Republic on Grand | 401 E Grand Ave | Des Moines 


April 10, 2024 | 9-10:30 AM

Highlander Hotel | 2525 Highlander Pl. | Iowa City

Guest Speaker: Amy Zeigler | Iowa Tourism Office

Let Us Know You're Coming!

Join us for our BIGGEST and BEST Iowa ProStart Invitational to date!

Tuesday, February 27, 2024 | Iowa Events Center | Hy-Vee Hall B

On February 27th, the Iowa Event Center will be abuzz when 30 teams and 150+ high school students compete for the title of State Champion in culinary arts, restaurant management, and, new this year, cake decorating! Come cheer on teams as they vie for a chance to represent Iowa at the National Championships in Baltimore, MD this spring.

Learn More

Welcome New Bronze Sponsor & Allied Member: Strategic Tax Planning

Learn More

Strategic Tax Planning is a Maryland-based CPA firm, with leadership right here in Iowa! We are a full-service CPA firm with a truly holistic approach.  Email Chad Rine today to set up a complimentary review with a Tax Director to evaluate all your options, and then you decide! Don't forget to mention you are an Iowa hotel or lodging owner!  

Chad Rine | chad.rine@smartertaxplanning.com

If you appreciate this information, please consider joining. 

These efforts are funded by our membership. Learn more about membership here.