My name is Linda O’Neal and ever since I was a young girl I loved to help people and make a difference in anyone’s life before making one in my own. This is why I have taken a leave of absence from the W Lakeshore Hotel where I work as a room service attendant to join The Contract Enforcement Team at the union.
For those of you who are not familiar with The Contract Enforcement Team, we are in charge of enforcing our union contracts with the hotel and food service companies that Local 1 members work at. We also make sure that when someone files a grievance (complaint), we fight for them.
Grievance meetings are never easy. I remember my first meeting. You could tell how nervous I was by the sound of my voice. What really set fire under my foot was when management started talking about the members with disrespect. I wasn’t going to let that happen. I fought with grace and style, and that’s where I gained my confidence. I won and got the member’s job back.
However, some fights cannot be resolved at the table when companies have violated our contracts. So, we take those cases to arbitration. Arbitration is just like court. Someone is a mediator like a judge. You have your prosecutors, which you can say are the companies and their expensive lawyers. Then, you have the defendants, which are us, the working people.
Being able to stand up to these companies makes me feel really good. Here I am, a room service attendant at a downtown hotel, fighting against these expensive corporate attorneys. I am glad that I am able to do this because I want to inspire other members to be involved with the union and show them that the company doesn’t run the union — we do!
When you’re part of The Contract Enforcement Team your cell phone is on 24/7 and you work 40-70 hours a week. This is all worth it because I love to help other people. It’s like a saying in a Sylvester Stallone movie, “Saving a life is not taking a life of yours.” In other words, helping someone is not taking anything out of you.
Even when it’s tough, I try to give it my best because I am a fighter. Not only am I a single mother of three, but in 2012 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had to do radiation for three months while working at the hotel and volunteering at the union. When I would get home I would complain to my kids. Then, one day my children sat me down at the dinner table and told me, “Mom, you have cancer, it don’t have you.” Ever since then I’ve been determined to live a normal life.
I see myself working with The Contract Enforcement Team for a while. I feel that this is my calling and this is where I belong. I want to keep fighting for worker’s rights at their jobs. Management better be ready for me, “The Snake Charmer.” Yes, you heard right: The Snake Charmer. The Contract Enforcement Team calls me this because out of all of us I am the one that most easily can persuade management to rule in our favor. So, bring it on!
Margaret Shields: I Am My Own Inspiration
At the age of 20, I had my first boy and two years later I had my youngest son. My kids mean the world to me. I wanted to make sure they had a better upbringing than I did. When they were young boys, my husband and I would take them to soccer and football practices. We knew that getting them involved in so many activities would help them stay motivated and off of the streets. No matter how much I had going on, I made sure to be there for my family.
I’ve been working for O’Hare airport for 16 years. However, last year, 11 of my coworkers and I got unjustly fired. Around that time, my oldest son was starting college. I wanted to help him out in any way I could and be there for him in the way my parents weren’t. So, I fought to get my job back!
My coworkers and I supported each other and had each other’s backs. We knew we had to stand strong together to get our jobs backs. What kept us together was that we always communicated with one another. If someone needed something they were just a phone call away. No one was ever left out.
After 10 long months, we all got our jobs back! This was possible because we knew our rights and stood together. I was happy that I could once again help my family. And, just as important, I was also happy to realize through it all I gained a support system that I never had growing up. The union and my coworkers became my extended family.
Standing up with my coworkers to fight for our jobs helped me see that I could be a leader. I took a leave of absence (LOA) from my job to work full-time with the union. I want to make people stronger, so they know their rights at work. Being knowledgeable about your rights and your contract is empowering – I learned that when I lost my own job. I want to encourage people to support their coworkers and stand together, just like how my coworkers and I did when we were unjustly fired. Without their support I would have never learned that I am not alone. I now have the courage to ask for help when I need it.
I am very proud of how far I have come in life. My kids are my proudest accomplishment. My oldest son attends Robert Morris University and wants to be a football coach. My youngest will be attending Chicago State University and wants to be a police officer. I was two steps ahead of my mom, and I always want my kids to be four or six steps ahead of me.
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.
Majestic Star union protests lack of contract
Union employees of Majestic Star Casinos visited the Chicago offices of one of its directors Tuesday to kick-start contract negotiations that have dragged on 10 months after their previous contract expired.
No sure bets in contract talks, Majestic Star workers say
Majestic Star Casino union employees are trying to preserve their health care and other benefits as they negotiate a new contract, but talks have stalled as the company requested changes to the benefits package and seniority.
Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle speaks to Local 1 about women and leadership
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!
Linda O’Neal: I am a fighter for the people
For those of you who are not familiar with The Contract Enforcement Team, we are in charge of enforcing our union contracts with the hotel and food service companies that Local 1 members work at. We also make sure that when someone files a grievance (complaint), we fight for them.
Grievance meetings are never easy. I remember my first meeting. You could tell how nervous I was by the sound of my voice. What really set fire under my foot was when management started talking about the members with disrespect. I wasn’t going to let that happen. I fought with grace and style, and that’s where I gained my confidence. I won and got the member’s job back.
However, some fights cannot be resolved at the table when companies have violated our contracts. So, we take those cases to arbitration. Arbitration is just like court. Someone is a mediator like a judge. You have your prosecutors, which you can say are the companies and their expensive lawyers. Then, you have the defendants, which are us, the working people.
Being able to stand up to these companies makes me feel really good. Here I am, a room service attendant at a downtown hotel, fighting against these expensive corporate attorneys. I am glad that I am able to do this because I want to inspire other members to be involved with the union and show them that the company doesn’t run the union — we do!
When you’re part of The Contract Enforcement Team your cell phone is on 24/7 and you work 40-70 hours a week. This is all worth it because I love to help other people. It’s like a saying in a Sylvester Stallone movie, “Saving a life is not taking a life of yours.” In other words, helping someone is not taking anything out of you.
Even when it’s tough, I try to give it my best because I am a fighter. Not only am I a single mother of three, but in 2012 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had to do radiation for three months while working at the hotel and volunteering at the union. When I would get home I would complain to my kids. Then, one day my children sat me down at the dinner table and told me, “Mom, you have cancer, it don’t have you.” Ever since then I’ve been determined to live a normal life.
I see myself working with The Contract Enforcement Team for a while. I feel that this is my calling and this is where I belong. I want to keep fighting for worker’s rights at their jobs. Management better be ready for me, “The Snake Charmer.” Yes, you heard right: The Snake Charmer. The Contract Enforcement Team calls me this because out of all of us I am the one that most easily can persuade management to rule in our favor. So, bring it on!
Chicago hotel workers ratify local contract with Hyatt Hotels
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.