UNITE HERE Local 1 Applauds Democratic Attorneys General Association for Moving Fall Conference to Show Support for Strike in Chicago 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 12, 2018

Contact: 
Elliott Mallen, 312-656-5807, [email protected]
Lizzie Ulmer, 269-271-2331, [email protected]

UNITE HERE Local 1 Applauds Democratic Attorneys General Association for Moving Fall Conference to Show Support for Strike in Chicago 

CHICAGO, IL – In response to the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) moving its Fall Quarterly Policy Program Conference from the JW Marriott to another location in Chicago to show support for workers, UNITE HERE and UNITE HERE Local 1 applauded the Democratic Attorneys General Association for its commitment to supporting workers.

“We applaud the decision of the Democratic Attorneys General Association to stand by the thousands of hospitality workers in Chicago and move their conference site,” said Karen Kent, President of Unite Here Local 1. “We are proud of our members who are making their voices heard this week in Chicago—and we are proud of the Democratic Attorneys General Association for listening.”

Thousands of Chicago hotel housekeepers, servers, cooks and doormen have stopped working and are on strike for year-round healthcare, workloads that keep them healthy, and wages that keep up with the cost of raising a family. Hotel workers are on strike at 26 downtown convention and boutique hotels. Some of the affected hotels include the Hyatt Regency Chicago, JW Marriott, Sheraton Grand, and Hilton Chicago. Union contracts with UNITE HERE Local 1 expired on August 31, 2018.

“Hotels may slow down in the wintertime, but I still need my diabetes medication when I’m laid off. Nobody should lose their health benefits just because it’s cold out. Full-time jobs should have year-round benefits,” said Q. Rivers, a house attendant at the Palmer House Hilton.

DAGA is the only committee dedicated to electing and supporting Democratic Attorneys General. The committee provides political and policy support to Democratic Attorneys General and candidates in their mission to protect civil rights, promote progress and diversity, fight corruption, and ensure the law is applied fairly for all of those that live and work in America.

This week, DAGA was slated to hold its Fall policy conference at the JW Marriott. After the news of the strike, the committee worked tirelessly with UNITE HERE to ensure that Democratic AGs, candidates, and staff would not have to cross a picket-line and ultimately, they moved locations.