First contract settled for Waldorf-Astoria workers

On September 6, hotel workers at one of Chicago’s top-rated hotels, the Waldorf-Astoria, ratified their first contract covering 130 workers. Waldorf 1

Last fall, workers unionized joining UNITE HERE Local 1 in an effort to improve safety conditions for housekeepers and wages and benefits for hotel workers. Highlights of the contract brought workers up to the citywide hotel standard which improves job security and provides economic increases over the next four years. Additionally, the new contract improves safety for housekeepers, dropping room quotas. An overwhelming majority of workers ratified the new contract.

 

Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront At-Risk of Labor Dispute

The Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront (formerly the Hotel 71) has been downgraded on www.unionhotelguide.org to “At-Risk of Dispute” due to its contract expiration on 8/31/2013. Unlike Hilton, Starwood, and Hyatt union properties in Chicago, the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront has not guaranteed its workers or guests labor peace past the end of last month.

Customers of the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront are encouraged to insist on the strongest possible contract language that indemnifies groups for meeting cancellations caused by labor disputes.  Please stay tuned on this rapidly developing situation.

Labor Day Rally at Majestic Star Casino

Majestic Star LaborDayLabor Day is the celebration of the incredible contributions and hard work of working people in the United States. This Labor Day, workers from Majestic Star Casino protested the casino for a fair contract. The collective bargaining agreement covering around 300 Majestic Star workers expired on October 31, 2012.

Casinos like the Majestic Star were approved by political leaders based on the promise they would bring stable jobs to hard-hit areas like Northwest Indiana. Workers at the Majestic Star receive low-cost, high quality healthcare, which is free for individuals and only $30 a month for families. Workers haven’t had raises since 2011.

“We just want decent wages and to keep our benefits intact for our families,” said Jeri Elliot, Majestic Star housekeeper for 13 years. “Unions built this region, and we’re going to continue to fight to make this region stronger.”

Hundreds of casino workers from Ameristar and Blue Chip casinos, and Chicago hotel workers, lunchroom workers and airport workers who are members of UNITE HERE Local 1 joined Majestic Star workers to stand together to keep the middle class intact in Northwest Indiana.

Check out the photos from our rally here.

Avenue Crowne Plaza Chicago Magnificent Mile At-Risk of Labor Dispute

The Avenue Crowne Plaza Chicago Magnificent Mile has been downgraded on www.unionhotelguide.org to “At-Risk of Dispute” due to its impending contract expiration on 8/31/13. Unlike Hilton, Starwood, and Hyatt union properties in Chicago, the Avenue Crowne Plaza Chicago has not guarantee its workers or guests labor peace past the end of this month.

Customers of the Avenue Crowne Plaza are encouraged to insist on the strongest possible contract language that indemnifies groups for meeting cancellations caused by labor disputes. Please stay tuned on this rapidly developing situation.

Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle speaks to Local 1 about women and leadership

DSC_0187_2While the popular (and often controversial) discussion about “having it all” and “leaning in” continues in the news,  the ladies of UNITE HERE Local 1 were honored to have lunch with Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle – a woman who knows a thing or two about being a leader. From finding that all-important work/life balance to her fight to take on the racial inequities in the County judicial system to what book she is reading, not much was off limits.

UNITE HERE Local 1 recently elected its first woman President, Karen Kent, and invited Preckwinkle to share her own experiences with the women of Local 1 about being a leader.

“Part of my goal as the President of the Local is to train and empower women in our union to become leaders,” said Kent.

Forty female staff and members of Local 1 took part in the intimate and candid discussion with President Preckwinkle, sharing their own experiences of being women and leaders in the labor movement.

“As a mother, a housekeeper, and an organizer my life is pretty busy. It can be overwhelming trying to balance it all and stay motivated,” said Hortensia Varela.“How do you stay inspired to keep working hard and fighting for justice?” she asked, getting emotional.

“Being angry and frustrated is momentary,” said Preckwinkle. She advised Varela  to surround herself with supportive people and don’t be afraid to ask for help. “Sometimes it’s a matter of not feeling so alone,” Preckwinkle added.

Kent added her own thoughts about her experiences as a leader: “Ten years ago, I didn’t even imagine myself being here. But, what I have learned is that I just had to make the decision.”

Preckwinkle shared her thoughts on a variety of topics:

On the labor movement: “If we don’t have people to organize those who need it the most then we’re in a lot of trouble.”

On women in politics: “We can’t just volunteer. We, as women, need to step up more.”

On being persistent: “I know now that the things you want to change and do aren’t going to happen overnight.”

Preckwinkle has been a dedicated community leader in the city for over two decades. Originally a high school history teacher, she was elected 4th Ward Alderman in 1991 and Cook County Board President in 2010.

Check out the photos from our lunch with President Preckwinkle here!

Chicago hotel workers ratify local contract with Hyatt Hotels

hyattratification2After four year dispute, new contracts provides thousands of dollars in back pay

Hyatt workers in Chicago have ratified local contracts with Hyatt Hotels, resolving a longstanding dispute between workers and the hotel company that began in 2009. The agreement covers 1500 workers from Hyatt Regency Chicago, Hyatt McCormick Place, the Park Hyatt and Hyatt Regency O’Hare. Both the union and Hyatt hail the agreement as a positive step forward.

Chicago Hyatt workers have been without a contract since August 31, 2009. The new contract, which covers workers into 2018, provides thousands of dollars in retroactive wage increases and gives non-tipped workers an immediate $1.80 wage increase. Housekeepers now earning $14.60 an hour since their contract expired will now jump to $16.40 an hour. Additionally, the new contract limits subcontracting, brings jobs back to the hotel, and ends scheduled overtime where workers in the same classification have been laid off.

“This agreement will put millions of dollars back into the pockets of Hyatt workers in Chicago,” said Demetrius Jackson, Hyatt Regency Chicago convention services houseman. “It is a significant achievement that we have fought hard for over the past four years.”

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. Key allies and have provided support to Hyatt workers in their efforts for a fair contract and an end to mistreatments.

A key provision of the national contract UNITE HERE International Union and Hyatt Hotels, which led to the Chicago agreement, establishes a fair process for workers at non-union Hyatt hotels to join the union. There is a “Solidarity Clause,” which would allow union workers to take action at their own hotels in mid-contract if non-union Hyatt hotels in cities such as Indianapolis have not recognized the union or agreed to a fair process for workers to decide whether to have union representation by October, 2015.

“I am proud of the achievements we have made for our families and the families of non-union Hyatt workers in other cities,” Jackson added.

The ratification of contracts by union Hyatt workers in San Francisco, Honolulu and Los Angeles, as well as Chicago, will trigger the end of the global boycott of Hyatt. With the agreement, 5,000 unionized Hyatt workers nationwide will have a contract for the first time since 2009. Local Hyatt boycotts in several U.S. cities will continue where labor disputes with Hyatt remain unresolved.

Sign the Petition to tell CPS: “You can’t cook without lunch ladies!”

A message from Ms. Linda:

My name is Linda Green and I have been a lunch lady in Chicago Public Schools for over 20 years. I have prepared kids’ meals in all different kinds of school kitchens. In some, I cooked everything—including the ketchup—from scratch. In others, I simply heat up frozen, pre-plated meals. But, today, my job is on the chopping block.

I have prepared kids’ meals in all different kinds of school kitchens. In some, I cooked everything—including the ketchup—from scratch. In others, I simply heat up frozen, pre-plated meals. But, today, my job is on the chopping block. – See more at: http://www.realfoodrealjobs.org/2013/07/sign-the-petition-to-tell-cps-you-cant-cook-without-lunch-ladies/#sthash.oHouefZZ.dpuf