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.
After a decade long struggle, the Congress Hotel strike comes to an end
With the 10th anniversary of the Congress Hotel strike approaching, UNITE HERE Local 1, the union representing Chicago’s hospitality workers, announced the end of strike. It is widely recognized as the world’s longest strike and has received support in a broad segment of the community.
An overwhelming majority of Congress strikers are immigrants to the United States and showed how low wage workers could lead the fight to raise the standards for hospitality workers and other low wage workers.
When the Congress strikers went out on strike the standard wage for room attendants was $8.83 per hour. The city wide standard for room attendants is now $16.40 an hour. Congress hotel room attendants still make $8.83 per hour.
“The decision to end the Congress strike was a hard one, but it is the right time for the Union and the strikers to move on. The boycott has effectively dramatically reduced the hotel’s business. The hotel treats their workers and customers equally poor and the community knows it. There is no more to do there. The reclusive owner lives in Geneva and Tel Aviv and hasn’t been to Chicago since the strike started. We don’t see getting a contract here, and we have many more battles to fight for economic justice,” said UNITE HERE Local 1 President Henry Tamarin.
The Union has found jobs for over 60 strikers over the years and is looking for more. It has made an unconditional offer to return to work on behalf of the strikers, but it is unclear whether any strikers will choose to.
O’Hare Airport Workers Advocate for Local, Sustainable Food
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
Cocineras dicen no a la comida congelada
CPS Lunchroom Workers Call For Healthier Food In Schools (VIDEO)
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
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.
Hotel workers reach five-year settlement with Hilton Hotels before contract expiration
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.
Unite Here, Hilton Reach Contract Agreement Without A Lengthy Battle
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.