"Banquet In The Streets" Highlights Impact Of Hotel Boycott As Dispute Reaches One Year Mark

Rev. Cecil Murray, City Attorney Delgadillo, Councilmembers Garcetti and Ludlow Join Hundreds for Formal Meal
in Front of Century Plaza Hotel

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Symbolizing the growing impact of a boycott against eight luxury hotels in Los Angeles, hundreds of residents, community leaders and elected officials staged a "Banquet in the Streets" Wednesday outside the Century Plaza Hotel.

The event marked the one year anniversary of the contract dispute involving more than 2,500 workers, who are fighting for fair wages and benefits, better workplace conditions and a 2006 contract expiration that would coincide with that of hotel workers in other cities across the country.

The workers are also demanding reimbursement of the health coverage co-payment the hotels charged workers and for health costs incurred by workers who did not make the co-payments. Until last month, the multi-million dollar hotel chains were charging workers a $40 monthly health care fee, which the union has alleged is illegal, and engaging in other widespread intimidation practices.

"We are fighting for the things every hard-working American deserves - a decent quality of life for our families and dignity on the job," said Donald Wilson, who has worked at the Century Plaza Hotel for 27 years.

Last fall, the workers announced a boycott in response to the intimidation practices of the hotels. The boycott has resulted in millions of dollars of lost business for the eight hotels, which include the Century Plaza, Regent Beverly Wilshire, Sheraton Universal, Hyatt West Hollywood, Hyatt Downtown, Wilshire Grand Hotel, Millennium Biltmore and Westin Bonaventure.

More than 100 groups -- most recently the California Democratic Party -- have canceled events, reflecting the broad community support for the boycott. Dozens of elected officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn and the majority of Los Angeles City Councilmembers as well as the majority of the California delegation in the State Assembly, Senate and Congress, have refused to attend events at the hotels.

"L.A.'s tourism industry relies on the hard work of hotel employees," said City Councilmember Eric Garcetti. "Until these men and women receive a fair contract with living wages and decent benefits, I will respect the boycott."

Among those in attendance at Wednesday's events were City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, City Councilmembers Garcetti and Martin Ludlow, and Rev. Cecil "Chip" Murray.

"It is better to dance in the streets where you are welcomed than in the house where you are held in disdain, particularly when it is a house you have helped to build," said Murray.