Hotel panic buttons

Hotels in New York City have agreed to equip employees with panic alarms that would summon help in case of an emergency.

New York Hotel Trades Council spokesman John Turchiano said the provision, which must be implemented within a year, is part of a new seven-year labor contract that the Hotel Association of New York approved last year.

The agreement was presented to the union yesterday and is scheduled for a vote Monday.

Turchiano said the provision was not spurred by the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case.

Authorities had charged the former head of the International Monetary Fund with attempted rape after a hotel worker said he sexually attacker her.

The criminal case was dismissed after the Manhattan DA’s Office lost faith in her credibility.