By Justin Fenton
Enquirer staff writer

Workers at two Cincinnati hotels could strike late next year if they cannot agree on a new contract that aligns them with the contracts of workers in other cities, the local union president said Thursday.

The workers are part of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union, which has instructed its affiliates to negotiate contracts that expire in 2006, when the union could attempt a national strike to give it more clout in negotiations.

Talks have been underway for about three months between the union and Los Angeles-area hotels. On Tuesday, the hotels declared negotiations had stalled over the union's demand for a two-year contract that would end at the same time as agreements in New York, Boston and Chicago.

Contracts in San Francisco and Washington also are up for negotiation in the next few months.

The union's local contracts in Cincinnati with Vernon Manor Hotel and Crowne Plaza Cincinnati expire in late 2005, while contracts with the Westin Cincinnati and Cincinnati Millenium Hotel already expire in 2006.

Dennis Hyden, president of the union's Local 12 chapter, said the union would try to negotiate one-year contracts with Vernon Manor and Crowne Plaza. If the hotels resist those efforts, "then we could have a big problem," he said.

"They're (the local hotels) fighting it as we speak," Hyden said. "The thing in L.A. is a perfect example. They're saying there's absolutely no way will they agree to one- or two-year contracts."

Local 12 represents 2,000 employees in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Indiana.

Hyden said there is a possibility of a lock-out in the cities negotiating for new contracts. If that were to take place, Cincinnati hotel employees would participate in informational campaigns and wear buttons but continue to work. The workers cannot strike or walk out while under contract, Hyden said.

The Associated Press contributed.

E-mail jfenton@enquirer.com.