UNITE HERE Local 1

O’Hare Airport Workers Advocate for Local, Sustainable Food

l1siteadmin — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:08:39 +0000

If you fly at all, chances are you’ve visited Chicago’s O’Hare Airport – 66 million of us spent some time there just in 2012 – and while you were waiting for flights, you probably got something to eat. When I think of O’Hare, a ride on the long automated walkway is usually the first image that comes to mind – not delicious, locally grown or sustainably produced food. That’s hardly surprising; I’m sure you know that airports are among the most difficult places to find it. The good news is, airports are moving to freshen up those food courts and serve up more options than limp, greasy French fries. Granted, for some, nothing says vacation like some chain-restaurant junk food, but not everyone who eats at an airport is traveling through.

Exigen se sirva comida fresca en comedores escolares de CPS

l1siteadmin — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:07:52 +0000

Cocineras dicen no a la comida congelada

CPS Lunchroom Workers Call For Healthier Food In Schools (VIDEO)

l1siteadmin — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:10:25 +0000

About a dozen school lunchroom workers gathered outside Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) headquarters today and called on the Board of Education to phase out its frozen food model and provide healthier meals to students.

CPS lunchroom workers call for end to frozen meals

l1siteadmin — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:09:19 +0000

Dozens of Chicago Public Schools food service workers rallied Tuesday afternoon to call for an end to quickly prepared frozen meals that can be readied in smaller kitchens by fewer workers.

McPier chief calls on Hyatt to resolve long labor dispute

l1siteadmin — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:38:28 +0000

The public owner of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place on Monday called for a swift resolution to the long-running battle between the Chicago-based hotel company and the workers’ union, saying it is unfair and inappropriate for the employees to have gone three years without a raise.

McPier wants Hyatt, union to settle

l1siteadmin — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:11:07 +0000

The agency that runs McCormick Place and owns the Hyatt Regency there wants an end to a battle between Hyatt Hotels Corp. and the union that represents Hyatt employees.

Unite Here, Hilton Reach Contract Agreement Without A Lengthy Battle

l1siteadmin — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:24:54 +0000

Four months before their existing contracts were set to expire, more than 600 Hilton Hotel workers represented by Unite Here Local 1 and Local 450 have reached a five-year contract settlement with the hotel chain.

Chicago-area Hilton hotel workers ratify new labor contract

l1siteadmin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:11:21 +0000

Union workers at local hotels operated by Hilton Worldwide Inc. have reached a five-year labor contract with the hotel chain more than four months before their existing contracts are set to expire.

Union compensation to rise $4.81 over 5 years in new Hilton pact

l1siteadmin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:09:52 +0000

Six hundred unionized workers at the Drake, Palmer House, Chicago Hilton and Towers and the Hilton O’Hare will see their compensation increase by a total of $4.81 over the course of five years beginning September.

Hotel workers reach five-year settlement with Hilton Hotels before contract expiration

l1siteadmin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:33:50 +0000

Contract represents path forward while Hyatt is still at odds with workers

[CHICAGO] – UNITE HERE Local 1 and Local 450 have reached a contract settlement with Hilton Hotels preempting the expiration of current contracts, which expire on August 31, 2013. The agreement covers over 600 workers from the Drake, Palmer House Hilton, Chicago Hilton, and Hilton O’Hare. Hilton is the first major hotel employer to step forward to reach a settlement with workers, presenting a path forward for hotel workers and other hotel companies in Chicago.

The new five year agreement improves job security and provides economic improvements for hotel workers and their families. Hilton workers are among over 6,000 hotel workers in Chicago and area suburbs whose contracts are set to expire this year. The settlement with Hilton is a departure from the last round of protracted citywide negotiations that lasted two years.

“This is a positive step for the hotel industry in which Hilton is leading,” said UNITE HERE Local 1 President Henry Tamarin. “We’re coming off very strong contracts from 2009, and this is a continuation of a decade of work to achieve middle class jobs for hotel workers in the City.”

A tentative agreement has been reached with Starwood Hotels, and workers at Hyatt hotels have been without a contract since August 31, 2009. Since that time, Hyatt workers have taken numerous actions, including strikes and the launch of a global boycott in response to unsafe working conditions for hotel housekeepers and Hyatt’s practice of subcontracting jobs.

“It’s refreshing that we’ve been able to reach an agreement without a lengthy battle. Hyatt workers have been without a contract for four years,” said Flavio Gonzalez, Hilton server. “Now, in Hyatt’s hometown, Hilton has settled before our contract even expired. Hyatt has a lot to learn from Hilton.”

In the last decade, hotel workers who are members of UNITE HERE Local 1 have made significant gains in wages and benefits. Workers receive low-cost, high-quality healthcare, which is free for individuals and only $30 a month for families. Chicago housekeepers went from making just $8.83 an hour in 2002 to $16.40 an hour today.

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UNITE HERE Local 1, Chicago’s hospitality workers union, represents over 15,000 hotel and food service workers in Chicago and casino workers in Northwest Indiana.