
Jermaine, a shop steward at the Ambassador Chicago, has worked there as a housekeeping supervisor for 13 years. Jermaine travelled to Memphis with Local 1 to make history and march in the same steps as Dr. King and the sanitation workers.
Q: How has the trip impacted you?
A: 50 years after being given a glimpse of what a better life could be like, it’s still only a vision. We are still fighting for a living wage and healthcare. We have seen the vision, but we, the unions across the nation, are still fighting to bring it to life. We no longer want a glimpse of what can be seen through the door of injustice and inequality, but we are now here to remove that door and take what’s ours!
Q: What was a highlight from Memphis?
A: The highlight of going to Memphis was hearing Dr. King’s daughter deliver a speech on the injustice and inequalities that are still alive today in American society and workforce.
Q: How has being a union leader changed your life?
A: Being an involved leader has made me aware of different people’s lives and situations. I’ve learned to listen and teach people about how to fight for each other and themselves. There is power in numbers. I realized we all want the same opportunity to have better working conditions and wages.
Jermaine is now working to make sure that his coworkers who work alone in guest rooms or restrooms will be equipped with panic buttons by July 1, 2018. In his free time, he enjoys biking, spending time with his family, and being an active member of his church.
Jermaine Gillen: Marching in Memphis to Make History
Jermaine, a shop steward at the Ambassador Chicago, has worked there as a housekeeping supervisor for 13 years. Jermaine travelled to Memphis with Local 1 to make history and march in the same steps as Dr. King and the sanitation workers.
Q: How has the trip impacted you?
A: 50 years after being given a glimpse of what a better life could be like, it’s still only a vision. We are still fighting for a living wage and healthcare. We have seen the vision, but we, the unions across the nation, are still fighting to bring it to life. We no longer want a glimpse of what can be seen through the door of injustice and inequality, but we are now here to remove that door and take what’s ours!
Q: What was a highlight from Memphis?
A: The highlight of going to Memphis was hearing Dr. King’s daughter deliver a speech on the injustice and inequalities that are still alive today in American society and workforce.
Q: How has being a union leader changed your life?
A: Being an involved leader has made me aware of different people’s lives and situations. I’ve learned to listen and teach people about how to fight for each other and themselves. There is power in numbers. I realized we all want the same opportunity to have better working conditions and wages.
Jermaine is now working to make sure that his coworkers who work alone in guest rooms or restrooms will be equipped with panic buttons by July 1, 2018. In his free time, he enjoys biking, spending time with his family, and being an active member of his church.
(Press)Trabajadores de restaurantes en O’Hare hacen huelga para protestar
via Hoy: Los trabajadores de los restaurantes, bares y cafeterías del Aeropuerto Internacional O’Hare abandonaron el trabajo al mediodía el jueves, uno de los días de viaje más concurridos del año, para presionar por salarios más altos y cuidado de salud asequible. Los restaurantes del aeropuerto continuaron operando durante la huelga…
(Press) HMSHost restaurant workers go on strike today at O’Hare Airport
via Chicago Business Journal: A strike this afternoon by restaurant workers in Terminal 3 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport could result in a lot of hungry holiday air travelers…
(Press) Restaurant Workers Strike At Chicago’s O’Hare Airport
via NPR: Employees at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport’s restaurants, bars and coffee shops went on strike at noon Thursday. HMSHost tells the Chicago Sun-Times that the restaurants are open and “operating smoothly.” “Don’t get caught HANGRY!” warn the handbills the union has been passing out at airports across the country. “[M]ake sure you’re not impacted, pack a snack!”…
(Press) O’Hare restaurant workers warn holiday travelers of possible strike
via Sun Times: Restaurant and concessions workers at O’Hare Airport are warning holiday travelers that their trips could be affected by a possible strike for more affordable health insurance and higher wages…
(Press) O’Hare restaurant workers vote to authorize strike
via Chicago Sun Times: Restaurant and concessions workers at O’Hare Airport voted on Thursday to authorize a strike for more affordable health insurance and higher wages….
(Press) O’Hare restaurant workers vote to strike, but timing of a walkout is unclear
via Chicago Tribune: Workers at O’Hare International Airport’s restaurants, bars and coffee shops voted Thursday to strike in an effort to secure higher wages and more affordable health insurance…