Webb has directed Bruce Baumgartner, aviation manager, to do whatever is necessary and appropriate to make sure that a "card check agreement" is executed between Westin, the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees and other labor unions that want to organize the future hotel workers. Baumgartner's role is to make sure is "strict neutrality" is maintained, basically meaning Westin can't stand in the way of any organizing efforts. Typically, hotel operators like the opportunity to give their side why they think a hotel is better non-union.

"It has always been a strong value of this administration to support the working men and women of this city," says Webb. "Whenever this administration has had the opportunity and the legal ability to do so, we have supported organized labor and will continue to do so."

Webb has long supported labor issues. Indeed, he has marched in picket lines, attended rallies with striking workers and has helped negotiate several labor disputes. But, he says the city can't force the Hyatt Regency and Denver developer Bruce Berger to adhere to the same standards as the Westin. Berger is planning a $217-million, 1,100-room Hyatt Regency hotel across the street from the expanded Colorado Convention Center. Some council members want to see that Hyatt, like the Westin, is unionized. There currently are no union hotels in Denver.