African/American
and Asian/American Leaders Back Hotel Workers
Los Angeles Garment & Citizen - September
29, 2004
Hotel workers hadn't declared a strike or been locked out of
their jobs at the nine establishments employing members of UNITE
HERE Local 11 as the Garment & Citizen went to press.
But the estimated 2,800 members of Local 11 didn't spend last
week simply hoping for the best, either.
Local 11 instead highlighted declarations of support from a
cross-section of elected officials, civil rights advocates and
religious leaders in the Asian/American and African/American
communities. The roster of prominent supporters lined up behind
the Local 11 members at two separate events, calling on community
members to refuse to cross picket lines to enter hotels in the
event of a strike-or to take jobs as replacements for striking
or locked-out workers. The groups also asked community members
to join hotel workers at rallies and picket lines, and donate
food and funds for emergency relief to assist the families of
hotel workers in case of a strike or lockout.
The gathering of support continued even though it appeared unlikely
that a strike or a lockout would happen anytime in coming weeks.
"We're prepared to continue negotiating with Local 11,"
said Fred Muir, spokesperson for the Los Angeles Hotel Employers
Council, which includes the nine establishments that employ
Local 11 workers.
"At this point we're just waiting for federal mediator
Peter Hurtgen to come back."
Hurtgen, who only recently joined the deadlocked talks, recently
spent some time in San Francisco, where he's involved in a separate
round of negotiations. He is currently on vacation-and he isn't
expected back to Los Angeles until mid-October.
Local 11 and its supporters appeared last week to be intent
on filling the downtime with efforts to build support and publicize
their outlook on the negotiations.
African/American community leaders issued their support during
a September 21 press conference at the Lewis Metropolitan Church
at 4900 S. Western Avenue.
"The African American religious community is standing with
the hotel workers in order for them to have a livable wage and
health care paid for by their employer-and dignity and respect
in the workplace," said Bishop Henry M. Williamson of the
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Asian/American contingent made a similar appeal during a
September 23rd press conference outside the Wilshire Grand hotel
at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Figueroa Street.
Negotiations between Local 11 have dragged on for months, and
union members recently authorized a strike. The vote authorizes
union leaders to call a strike, but does not necessarily indicate
that they will take that step.
The negotiations have centered largely on the length of a labor
contract, with hotel owners seeking a five-year deal. Local
11 has been pushing for a two-year deal, which would put the
group in line with colleagues around the country.
The nine hotels with workers represented by Local 11 are the
Wilshire Grand, the Hyatt Regency Los Angeles, the Millennium
Biltmore, the Westin Bonaventure, the Hyatt West Hollywood,
the Regent Beverly Wilshire, the Sheraton Universal, the St.
Regis, and the Westin Century Plaza.
More
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