Hotel workers in Southern California have launched a new wave of multi-day walkouts in Santa Monica on September 25. The workers, represented by Unite Here Local 11, are demanding higher wages and an end to violence on picket lines. They held demonstrations in front of several hotels including the Fairmont Santa Monica, Viceroy Santa Monica, Hampton Inn Suites Santa Monica, Courtyard Santa Monica, and Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica.
This strike began over the July 4 weekend and has since become the largest hotel strike in U.S. history. The union is seeking a $5-an-hour wage increase for all hotel workers, along with continued family healthcare coverage, upgrades to their pension plan, and improved workloads.
The average wage for housekeepers is currently $20 to $25 per hour. The workers are demanding higher wages to keep up with the rising cost of housing in the city where they work.
Unite Here’s co-president, Kurt Petersen, believes that the recent labor agreement reached between screenwriters and Hollywood studios may encourage the hotels to come to an agreement. However, the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG), representing the hotels, claims that Local 11 has made no real movement in negotiations.
In addition to their demands for higher wages and improved working conditions, Unite Here has filed an unfair labor practice charge against CBG. The union also accuses human resources directors at specific hotels of condoning violence against workers.
Striking workers are calling for a boycott of hotels across Los Angeles until the companies agree to a contract with living wages and put an end to the violence. However, CBG spokesman Keith Grossman believes the union is not ready to bargain in good faith.
This labor unrest is not limited to the hotel industry. Hollywood actors are also on strike, and the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions has issued a 10-day strike notice. Workers claim they are understaffed and underpaid at Kaiser facilities and are prepared to walk off the job if a labor agreement is not reached.
Kaiser has stated that it is committed to bargaining in good faith and has proposed pay increases, including a minimum starting wage of $21 per hour. The company also claims to have nearly met its goal of adding 10,000 union jobs this year.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
