pixel

Archive for category: IN THE NEWS

Faith Leaders Begin 96 Mile Pilgrimage to Call for Immediate Closure of Immigrant Detention Centers

Los Angeles clergy members from different faith backgrounds embarked on a week-long, 96 mile pilgrimage to draw attention and call for an end to cruel immigration policy and a close to all detention centers.

These religious leaders and accompanying community members are walking to bring awareness for the targeted immigrant community, and to serve as a voice of protest for those for whom it is not safe to speak out.

Local 11 members and staff joined in solidarity the pilgrimage for one day.

VICTORY IN SEATTLE!

The striking UNITE HERE Local 8 members at the Embassy Suites Pioneer Square in Seattle WON THEIR STRIKE!  The workers reached an historic agreement with Hilton after 85 days on strike! This was the longest hotel strike in Washington state history. Congratulations and… Sí Se Pudo!

Chicago Hotel Workers Vote to Authorize a Strike

More than 7,000 Chicago hotel workers are renegotiating their contracts across Chicago. Workers have set their sights on winning contracts that include 5 pillars including wages and fair workloads. 85% voted YES to authorize the negotiation committee to call for job actions up to and including a strike or boycott. Chicago workers work too hard to live like this!

WEHO TIMES: UNITE HERE Local 11 Endorses Byers, Krieger, Post, and Cottrell for West Hollywood City Council – Reject Block and Duran

“Councilmember Chelsea Byers made affordability a centerpiece of her term on Council and has Mayor,” reads a statement from UNITE HERE Local 11. “She is a strong supporter of renter protections and is a proponent of West Hollywood’s nationally celebrated minimum wage law. She has the endorsement of the both the California Working Families Party and the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.”

Local 11 joined the California Working Families Party in endorsing Helen Krieger and Stephen Post for City Council. Local 11 also joined with the Los Angeles County Democratic Party in endorsing Jonathan Cottrell. Krieger also won the support of the LA County Democratic Party. “The UNITE HERE, WFP, and LACDP endorsements make clear that these four candidates are the progressive choices for West Hollywood City Council,” the Union said.

Los Angerles Business Journal: UNITE HERE Opens Health Center

“It’s really a place for our members, where they are welcomed and treated with respect,” said Kristin Reeg, director of the health fund at Unite HERE Local 11. “These are people who are not always treated great on the job.”

 

SMDP: Hotel union endorses four candidates for three open spots on the City Council

The hospitality workers union UNITE HERE Local 11 is urging voters to support four candidates for Santa Monica City Council ahead of November’s election — Mayor Caroline Torosis, Rent Control Board member Danny Ivanov, Brett Morrow and Doug Trussler — while explicitly opposing two others, Lana Negrete and Phil Brock.

 

TORCHED: Hot labor summer games

A better pre-Labor Day press conference couldn’t have been scripted. On Tuesday, Unite Here Local 11, one of the most powerful unions in the city, endorsed Nithya Raman for mayor. “Our members know how to fight,” said Unite Here co-president Kurt Petersen, as he stood on a Koreatown corner. “And when you’re in a fight, you remember who showed up. Nithya Raman showed up.”

FIGHT BACK! NEWS!: Disney workers take to the streets to demand raises and benefits

Ines Guzman, a Disney hotel worker, stated, “We are fighting for a good workload. The workload is so heavy for us at Disney, we have people getting injured because it’s so bad.” Guzman also said “It’s hard for us to get breaks, because for me, I’m a lead, so I have to cover half a tower, and have to cover 55 rooms. So, we can’t take breaks because how would we cover that. We work at a fast pace and we can get hurt.” Guzman continued, “The Injuries are lower back, shoulders, arms and knees.”

 

KNX NEWS: Unionized workers at Jonathan Club in DTLA vote to authorize strike

“This is a club that has the wealthiest people in Los Angeles who are its members. They can afford to pay this,” said Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11. “Many of those members are not only in this club, but they have second and third homes and you know, when our members can’t afford one home, that’s just not acceptable.”