Support hotel workers Thursday in SeaTac

On July 22, more than 600 hotel workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 8 and their supporters  rallied in front of the Westin Hotel in downtown Seattle while 150 people more gathered in front of the SeaTac Doubletree to support the region’s hotel workers who are fighting for livable wages, job security, safe working conditions, and respect on the job. This summer, union contracts covering over 1,400 workers have expired.  The affected hotels and restaurants include the Westin, Edgewater, Seattle Hilton, Washington Athletic Club, Space Needle, SeaTac Hilton, and the Doubletree.

TAKE A STAND! The action continues this week at the Washington State Labor Council convention in SeaTac as delegates and guests will walk out to join the DoubleTree staff and their supporters for the biggest rally the City of SeaTac has ever seen! Whether you are attending the WSLC Convention or not, join us from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4 outside the SeaTac DoubleTree Hotel at the corner of International Blvd. and S. 188th St.

Among other key issues, Seattle hotel workers are fighting for job security.

“I have given many years, my body, and my soul to this hotel and now I am here to fight for my job. We are going to fight until we have our jobs, our union, and a fair contract,” said Aracely Cerezo García, a hotel housekeeper at the Hilton Seattle.

During the recession, hotels continued to remain profitable through a combination of layoffs, decreased work schedules and increased workloads for staff, burdening its low-wage workforce. According to the industry’s own projections, hotels will be returning to record profit levels by 2012.

“Seattle is a tourism destination, and hotels are recovering from the economic downturn,” said Erik Van Rossum, Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 8. “Will they lift up the workers that kept them in business, or will they keep their workers in a permanent recession? Hotel workers are now mobilizing to ensure they get a fair share of the economic recovery.”

Workers also demand the right to organize free of intimidation and harassment in non-union hotels.

“We will not stand by while organizing rights are attacked in Wisconsin and elsewhere. By organizing non-union hotels, we will bring hospitality workers back into the middle class,” Van Rossum added.

Check out a slideshow with original music by a supporter who was inspired by the day of action on July 22! View photos from the Seattle rally, or get more information about the fight for a fair contract at www.unitehere8.org.