FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 19
CONTACT
Patrick Griffin, [email protected], 773-812-2491
Sarah Lyons, [email protected], 312-385-0603
Signature Room Workers Rally Support to Get their Jobs Back as 95th & 96th Floors of John Hancock Building Seek New Tenant
Restaurant workers deliver over 1,000 letters to owners of iconic restaurant and lounge space from community members pledging not to patronize the space unless the original workers are brought back.
CHICAGO – Today, workers of the Signature Room and Lounge rallied outside of the offices of the owners of the iconic restaurant space on the 95th and 96th floors of the John Hancock Building to deliver letters of support from the community. Over 1,000 former customers, visitors, and residents have pledged they will only eat and drink at the Signature Room and Lounge space if the original workers are offered their jobs back. The former Signature Room and Lounge space on the 95th and 96th floors of the John Hancock building is available for lease.
“I loved helping people create memories and celebrate milestones. We deserve to have the chance to return to work in the space when it re-opens and bring back the spirit that made the Signature Room special,” said Bob Sorenson who worked as a server for 25 years at the Signature Room.
Workers delivered the petition to PGIM, the owner of the former Signature Room space. Surrounded by supporters holding signs that said, “I Stand with Signature Room Workers,” the restaurant workers served hot cocoa to passersby outside of the Prudential Building where PGIM’s office are located, showcasing the spirit of Chicago hospitality.
“This was my second home. I want to continue to do the work I love with the co-workers who are like my family,” said Irene Luna, a pastry cook with 29 years of service at the Signature Room. “Having so much support from former customers, Chicagoans and visitors feels great. I hope whoever takes over the space will listen to our voices,” Luna continued.
The Signature Room and Lounge closed on September 28th with no notice given to the one hundred and thirty-two restaurant employees represented by UNITE HERE Local 1. The overwhelming majority of terminated Signature Room workers are people of color. They worked as cooks, servers, bartenders, barbacks, concierges, housekeeping attendants, bussers, and expeditors at the venue. One third of the terminated workers had served at the Signature Room for 15 years or more. Eight workers celebrated their 30-year work anniversary this past summer.
“Today, the Signature Room staff and the broader community sent a clear message that these dedicated workers deserve the chance to return to their jobs when the space re-opens. To whoever the new operator in the Signature Room space may be, we urge you to embody the true spirit of Chicago hospitality and welcome these workers back to what was once their second home. We will be watching. This City will be watching,” said Karen Kent, President of UNITE HERE Local 1.
PGIM is the global asset management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global investment manager. The Chicago office of PGIM is in the Prudential Building, at Two Prudential Plaza, 180 North Stetson Street, Suite 5600.
FURTHER BACKGROUND:
On October 2, UNITE HERE Local 1 filed a complaint in federal court against the Signature Room operator alleging a violation of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, also known as the WARN Act. The Union also filed a complaint with the Illinois Department of Labor. Under the WARN Act, an employer must provide 60-days written notice of any closing or mass-layoff. Per the Act, in lieu of the 60-days notice, the employer must also provide terminated workers with wages, health insurance benefits, pension benefits, life insurance premiums, accrued holiday pay, and accrued vacation for 60 days after the operation closes and workers are terminated. The complaint outlines the Signature Room operator’s failure to comply with the requirements of the WARN Act and seeks backpay, benefits and other relief under the Act.
On October 16, UNITE HERE Local 1 filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against the operator of Signature Room on behalf of terminated workers. The charge alleges that Infusion Management Group failed to give timely notice of the restaurant’s closure in order to allow the Union to bargain over the effects of the closure in a meaningful way, violating federal labor law. The Union seeks a remedy under the NLRB that includes back pay for terminated workers and for the Signature Room’s operator to bargain in good faith.
Both the Unfair Labor Practice charge and the WARN lawsuit are ongoing.
West Loop Workers Speak Out Against Disrespect at Onni Group’s Emily Hotel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 7
CONTACT
Sarah Lyons, [email protected], 312-385-0603
West Loop Workers Speak Out Against Disrespect at Onni Group’s Emily Hotel
Restaurant and front desk workers at the Emily Hotel call on owner-operator Onni Group to end disrespect at their West Loop property
CHICAGO – Bartenders, cooks, servers, hosts, baristas, dishwashers and front desk agents rallied with community supporters today in the West Loop to speak out against disrespect at the Emily Hotel, which is owned and operated by Vancouver-based real estate investment firm Onni Group.
A report released today by UNITE HERE Local 1, entitled “Respect Us At The Emily,” details Emily Hotel workers’ experiences of disrespect under Onni Group’s management. Included in the report are descriptions of Emily Hotel management engaging in the following behaviors:
“When my managers used homophobic slurs and other offensive language, I felt powerless to stop it. Today, I know I’m not alone in wanting to make our workplace better. I’m proud that my coworkers and I are standing together against disrespect at the Emily Hotel because West Loop workers deserve better,” said Edson Rebolledo, a front desk agent at the hotel and resident of Belmont Cragin.
“As West Loop hospitality workers, we take pride in working hard to make sure guests have fun, amazing experiences that keep them coming back. But we also want our jobs to be quality jobs where we have respect and dignity. We want to be treated like human beings,” said Caity Gallagher, who works as a server at Emily Hotel’s Fora restaurant and lives in Pilsen.
“I was horrified when my manager encouraged me to use a racial slur. But it felt impossible to speak up in the moment. I felt alone and I was afraid of retaliation. Today, I feel empowered because I know if that were to happen again, I could speak out because my coworkers and I are standing together to end disrespect at the Emily Hotel,” said Tanner Doxey, who works as a front desk agent and lives in Roscoe Village.
While located in Chicago’s trendiest hospitality hotspot, Emily Hotel workers in the West Loop are paid less than union hotel workers in Downtown Chicago. Cooks, dishwashers and front desk agents at the Emily Hotel make over $4 less per than their peers at the Canopy by Hilton Central Loop, for example, a unionized hotel in Chicago’s Downtown.
Of the roughly 60 restaurant workers and front desk agents at the Emily Hotel, 34% identify as Hispanic or Latino and 29% identify as Black or African American. 79% of these workers live in the City of Chicago.
“Emily Hotel workers are taking the courageous step of speaking out to end disrespect in the workplace. Chicago’s West Loop cannot become a true world-class destination while some West Loop hospitality workers are subjected to second-rate treatment. We will continue to stand with Emily Hotel workers as they fight for the respect and fair contract they deserve,” said Karen Kent, President of UNITE HERE Local 1.
One year ago, in May 2024, Emily Hotel’s front desk and restaurant workers voted to join UNITE HERE Local 1. Since then, workers of the Emily Hotel have been fighting for a first contract with fair wages, high-quality, affordable health insurance, a grievance procedure and protections against retaliation by management.
Originally branded the Ace Hotel, the 159-room Emily Hotel made its debut in January 2022 following its acquisition by Onni Group. Onni owns and manages over 11.5 million square feet of commercial property across North America.
The report “Respect Us At The Emily” is available at www.unitehere1.org/emilyhotel.
Hotel Workers Launch Boycott of Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 6, 2024
CONTACT
Sarah Lyons, [email protected], 312-385-0603
Hotel Workers Launch Boycott of Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown
Chicago Federation of Labor, Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council announce support for the boycott during rally & speak-out outside the hotel
CHICAGO – Today, Chicago hotel workers launched a boycott of the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown. They were joined by Chicago Federation of Labor Secretary-Treasurer Don Villar and Business Representative Tom Ryan of the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Local 13 who announced their support for the boycott this afternoon outside the Holiday Inn located at 506 W Harrison Street.
Workers at the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown make just $19 per hour, which is $6 less than thousands of other Chicago hotel workers.
“My co-workers and I decided to call for a boycott of the hotel because we make far less than other Chicago hotel workers. We work hard and deserve to be able to take care of our families. Until we win a fair contract, I hope everyone will honor the boycott,” said Pedro Raymundo Sanchez, who has worked as a houseman at the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown for about three years.
“The hardworking housekeeping staff at the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown deserve to earn the same as thousands of other Chicago hotel workers. In this city, we do not abide workers being treated as second-class. We’ll support this boycott until these workers get what they deserve,” said Don Villar, Secretary-Treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Labor
“The Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council is proud to stand with workers of the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown as they call for a boycott. We will have these workers’ backs for as long as it takes for them to get a fair contract,” said Tom Ryan, Business Representative of the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Local 13.
“Workers of the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown deserve family-sustaining wages and quality, affordable healthcare, just as thousands of union hotel workers have in our city. We are proud to have the support of the Chicago Federation of Labor, Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, and IBEW Local 134 the as we continue to fight to make sure Holiday Inn workers win what they deserve,” said Karen Kent, President of UNITE HERE Local 1.
Housekeeping department workers at the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown voted to join UNITE HERE Local 1 in April 2023. The workers are asking the public to commit to respect the boycott and not to patronize the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown until hotel management agrees to a fair contract. Learn more at www.boycottholidayinnchicago.
The Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown is owned by LXG. LXG’s website describes Level Construction as “an expertise vertical of LXG.”
Workers at hotel owned by Northwestern Memorial HealthCare face barriers to healthcare, have difficulty affording basic necessities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
CONTACT
Sarah Lyons, [email protected], 312-385-0603
Workers at hotel owned by Northwestern Memorial HealthCare face barriers to healthcare, have difficulty affording basic necessities
Union’s report finds some workers at the Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile have no health insurance, rely on public assistance
CHICAGO – Today, UNITE HERE Local 1 released a report which finds that food and beverage workers at a hotel owned by Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and operated by Davidson Hospitality Group face barriers to healthcare and difficulty affording basic necessities. Surveyed workers include cooks, servers, bartenders, room service, and others at the Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile located in Streeterville. Of the 33 surveyed workers, 85% are people of color and the majority are immigrants hailing from eight different countries. UNITE HERE Local 1 received survey responses from 33 of the hotel’s 49 food and beverage workers in November and December 2023.
Key findings of the report include:
Workers of the Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile, joined by community supporters, held a picket line and speak out in front of the hotel today to highlight the need for Davidson to provide quality, affordable health insurance.
“My first child was born in 2023. I have to work a second job to pay for our health insurance. Having another child is financially out of reach because we can’t afford the delivery fee and hospital stay for my wife. It feels terrible that our expensive health insurance might keep us from having another child,” said Andri Mile, who has worked at the Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile as a bartender for nearly three years.
“Even though Northwestern Memorial HealthCare owns the hotel where I work, my daughter and I can’t go to Northwestern Hospital because it’s still too expensive. My co-workers and I work hard to take care of the Northwestern community. We deserve to be able to take care of our health, our families, and our communities, too,” said Victor Silva, who has worked as a banquet server at the Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile for 10 years.
Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and subsidiaries reported total revenue of $8,721,937,000 in the year ending August 31, 2023, and endowment net assets of $338,411,000 at the end of the year ending August 31, 2023.
“Hospitals are meant to be pillars of the community, promising healing and hope. Yet for workers of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare’s Hyatt Centric, access to affordable, quality healthcare is out of reach. These hospitality workers deserve to be able to see a doctor and feed their families,” said Karen Kent, President of UNITE HERE Local 1.
The full report, “What will happen to me if I get sick or hurt?: The Story of Food and Beverage Workers at Northwestern Memorial HealthCare’s Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile,” is available at www.unitehere1.org/NorthwesternHyattCentric.
Signature Room Workers Rally Support to Get their Jobs Back as 95th & 96th Floors of John Hancock Building Seek New Tenant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 19
CONTACT
Patrick Griffin, [email protected], 773-812-2491
Sarah Lyons, [email protected], 312-385-0603
Signature Room Workers Rally Support to Get their Jobs Back as 95th & 96th Floors of John Hancock Building Seek New Tenant
Restaurant workers deliver over 1,000 letters to owners of iconic restaurant and lounge space from community members pledging not to patronize the space unless the original workers are brought back.
CHICAGO – Today, workers of the Signature Room and Lounge rallied outside of the offices of the owners of the iconic restaurant space on the 95th and 96th floors of the John Hancock Building to deliver letters of support from the community. Over 1,000 former customers, visitors, and residents have pledged they will only eat and drink at the Signature Room and Lounge space if the original workers are offered their jobs back. The former Signature Room and Lounge space on the 95th and 96th floors of the John Hancock building is available for lease.
“I loved helping people create memories and celebrate milestones. We deserve to have the chance to return to work in the space when it re-opens and bring back the spirit that made the Signature Room special,” said Bob Sorenson who worked as a server for 25 years at the Signature Room.
Workers delivered the petition to PGIM, the owner of the former Signature Room space. Surrounded by supporters holding signs that said, “I Stand with Signature Room Workers,” the restaurant workers served hot cocoa to passersby outside of the Prudential Building where PGIM’s office are located, showcasing the spirit of Chicago hospitality.
“This was my second home. I want to continue to do the work I love with the co-workers who are like my family,” said Irene Luna, a pastry cook with 29 years of service at the Signature Room. “Having so much support from former customers, Chicagoans and visitors feels great. I hope whoever takes over the space will listen to our voices,” Luna continued.
The Signature Room and Lounge closed on September 28th with no notice given to the one hundred and thirty-two restaurant employees represented by UNITE HERE Local 1. The overwhelming majority of terminated Signature Room workers are people of color. They worked as cooks, servers, bartenders, barbacks, concierges, housekeeping attendants, bussers, and expeditors at the venue. One third of the terminated workers had served at the Signature Room for 15 years or more. Eight workers celebrated their 30-year work anniversary this past summer.
“Today, the Signature Room staff and the broader community sent a clear message that these dedicated workers deserve the chance to return to their jobs when the space re-opens. To whoever the new operator in the Signature Room space may be, we urge you to embody the true spirit of Chicago hospitality and welcome these workers back to what was once their second home. We will be watching. This City will be watching,” said Karen Kent, President of UNITE HERE Local 1.
PGIM is the global asset management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global investment manager. The Chicago office of PGIM is in the Prudential Building, at Two Prudential Plaza, 180 North Stetson Street, Suite 5600.
FURTHER BACKGROUND:
On October 2, UNITE HERE Local 1 filed a complaint in federal court against the Signature Room operator alleging a violation of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, also known as the WARN Act. The Union also filed a complaint with the Illinois Department of Labor. Under the WARN Act, an employer must provide 60-days written notice of any closing or mass-layoff. Per the Act, in lieu of the 60-days notice, the employer must also provide terminated workers with wages, health insurance benefits, pension benefits, life insurance premiums, accrued holiday pay, and accrued vacation for 60 days after the operation closes and workers are terminated. The complaint outlines the Signature Room operator’s failure to comply with the requirements of the WARN Act and seeks backpay, benefits and other relief under the Act.
On October 16, UNITE HERE Local 1 filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against the operator of Signature Room on behalf of terminated workers. The charge alleges that Infusion Management Group failed to give timely notice of the restaurant’s closure in order to allow the Union to bargain over the effects of the closure in a meaningful way, violating federal labor law. The Union seeks a remedy under the NLRB that includes back pay for terminated workers and for the Signature Room’s operator to bargain in good faith.
Both the Unfair Labor Practice charge and the WARN lawsuit are ongoing.
Selina Hotel Workers ask City of Chicago: Am I Losing My Job?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 8
CONTACT
Sarah Lyons, [email protected], 312-385-0603
Selina Hotel Workers ask City of Chicago: Am I Losing My Job?
Workers protest sudden layoffs as Magnificent Mile hotel is slated to shelter unhoused individuals
CHICAGO – Today, hotel workers from the Selina Hotel protested their sudden layoffs near the corner of Michigan and Chestnut on the Magnificent Mile.
On October 31, management at the Selina Hotel, located at 100 E Chestnut St, notified hotel workers that they are being laid off as of this Friday, November 10.
Management told the Union that the hotel will operate under a contract to house migrants. Hotel management later wrote that “no such contract currently exists” but that “Selina could enter into a sublease agreement whereby the Hotel is rented to a third party to house migrants for an extended period.” Earlier today, press reported that the City of Chicago confirmed that the Selina Hotel would be used as a shelter for unhoused individual beginning next month for up to seven months.
The layoff notice came as a shock to hotel workers, given that the hotel had continued to employ them when it provided housing services to migrants earlier this year.
“Last year, our hotel housed asylum seekers, and we all kept our jobs to help clean their rooms and care for them,” said Angeyleah Campbell, a housekeeping supervisor who has worked for 25 years at the Selina Hotel and lives in on Chicago’s Southwest side. “I was proud that my coworkers and I did what we could to help out. So why are we being kicked to the curb this time?”
“I’m ready to welcome anyone who needs shelter to our hotel. They deserve a home and we deserve to keep our jobs,” said Linwei Xiao, a front desk supervisor at the Selina Hotel.
UNITE HERE Local 1 members have stepped up in times of crisis. UNITE HERE Local 1 members welcomed and cared for at-risk Chicagoans, first responders, medical staff, and others who needed a place to stay during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. While schools were shuttered, UNITE HERE Local 1 members prepared and served more than 21 million free meals for Chicago Public Schools students during the first six months of the pandemic. And at McCormick Place, UNITE HERE Local 1 members worked alongside other union members when the convention center was converted to a field hospital early in the pandemic.
“Throughout the pandemic, our union worked in partnership with our employers and the City of Chicago,” said Karen Kent, President of UNITE HERE Local 1. “Our members always led the way with open hearts. We can do good, together, when we are given the opportunity. When we work in partnership, we will always come up with the best result. UNITE HERE Local 1 members are ready to take care of anyone who is staying at the hotel, whether they are migrants or other vulnerable populations. We are ready to work with whoever the appropriate parties are to ensure that vulnerable populations are cared for by UNITE HERE Local 1 members. Situations like these take a partnership between labor, business, and government to reach a formal agreement to this effect.”
Workers of Berlin Nightclub Launch Boycott
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 25, 9PM
CONTACT
Sarah Lyons, [email protected], 312-385-0603
Workers of Berlin Nightclub Launch Boycott
Berlin workers ask community not to patronize the famed Chicago venue until owners agree to a fair contract
CHICAGO – Today, workers of the Berlin Nightclub announced a boycott and asked the community not to patronize the venue. Berlin Nightclub workers organized with UNITE HERE Local 1 in April 2023 and are pushing for their first contract. During the six months at the bargaining table, the owners of Berlin have rejected the union’s proposal for health insurance and wage increases. Currently, most staff who work as bartenders, barbacks, security, door, coat check, stage managers, audio/visual, social media, and programming coordinator make minimum wage and none have any health care coverage through their employment at Berlin.
“We are we are launching a boycott of Berlin Nightclub because queer and trans workers are worth more than minimum wage. I want to thank all the performers, DJ’s, hosts, and producers who are courageously standing in solidarity with us and respecting the boycott by canceling their shows. This is what it means to be a part of the queer community in Chicago,” said Jolene Saint, who has worked as a bartender at Berlin Nightclub for six years.
In August, Berlin workers walked out on strike for two days. Performers cancelled their shows in solidarity during the strike. The boycott launch followed the publication last month of an open letter from the Chicago Drag Community to the owners of Berlin Nightclub expressing support for the Berlin workers’ organizing efforts and expressing support for the Berlin workers’ organizing efforts and pledging to honor any strike or boycott.
“Berlin has always often been a sanctuary for trans people in Chicago, who do not feel safe in many other places. The crowd reflects that, the performers reflect that, and the programming reflects that. All of that is due to the hard work of the workers, many of whom are transgender themselves, all of whom are queer, and all of whom are being mistreated and underpaid. I, along with many other performers, proudly endorse the boycott of Berlin Nightclub,” said Irregular Girl who has performed at Berlin for seven years and co-hosts a monthly lesbian night called “Strapped,” one of Berlin nightclub’s most popular shows.
The host, DJ, and all performers who were scheduled to perform at tonight’s “Studs and Spikes” show at Berlin Nightclub have cancelled their appearances in honor of the boycott. Other performers with shows scheduled at Berlin later this week have also announced cancellations. For updates on show cancellations, follow UNITE HERE Local 1 on Twitter and Instagram.
Berlin Nightclub is owned by Jim Schuman and Jo Webster who bought the venue in 1995. The Berlin Nightclub has been in operation on the Northside of Chicago since 1983.
Hospitality Workers’ Union Files Federal Lawsuit Against Signature Room Operator for Violating WARN Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 2
CONTACT
Sarah Lyons, [email protected], 312-385-0603
Hospitality Workers’ Union Files Federal Lawsuit Against Signature Room Operator for Violating WARN Act
CHICAGO – Today, UNITE HERE Local 1 filed a complaint in federal court against Infusion Management Group, Inc, the operator of the Signature Room at the 95th and the Signature Lounge at the 96th alleging a violation of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, also known as the WARN Act. The lawsuit was filed after the Signature Room closed on September 28th with no notice given to the one hundred and thirty-two restaurant employees represented by UNITE HERE Local 1.
Under the WARN Act, an employer must provide 60-days written notice of any closing or mass-layoff. Per the Act, the employer must also provide terminated workers with wages, health insurance benefits, pension benefits, life insurance premiums, accrued holiday pay, and accrued vacation for 60 days after the operation closes and workers are terminated. The complaint outlines the Signature Room operator’s failure to comply with the requirements of the WARN Act and seeks backpay, benefits and other relief under the Act.
The overwhelming majority of terminated Signature Room workers are people of color. They worked as cooks, servers, bartenders, barbacks, concierges, housekeeping attendants, bussers, and expeditors at the venue. One third of the terminated workers had served at the Signature Room for 15 years or more. Eight workers celebrated their 30-year work anniversary this past summer.
“What the Signature Room has done to these one hundred and thirty-two restaurant workers is a disgrace and shows a complete disregard for the working people who cooked, served, and welcomed Chicagoans and the world. This restaurant is iconic not just for its views but because of the hard-working staff, many of whom dedicated decades of their lives to this place. For the Signature Room operator to jettison these workers overnight is both immoral and illegal. The decimation of the Signature Room extends far beyond personal memories – it is a devastation to the families, futures, and lives of these restaurant workers. We will pursue every avenue to ensure Signature Room workers see justice served,” said Karen Kent, President of UNITE HERE Local 1.
The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. A copy of the complaint is available via email by request to [email protected].