PRESS INQUIRIES
For Press Inquiries:
Maria Hernandez, Communications
(623) 340-8047 (mobile)
mhernandez {at} unitehere11 {dot} org
For Arizona Press Inquiries:
Victoria Stahl, Communications
(623) 329-1662 (mobile)
vstahl {at} unitehere11 {dot} org

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.”
FOX 11: Disneyland hotel workers protest during D23 weekend: ‘No Magic in Our Paychecks’
Hundreds of Disneyland Resort hotel workers rallied near Harbor Boulevard and Convention Way during D23 weekend.
Union representatives with UNITE HERE Local 11 state that contract negotiations with Disney have yielded little progress after months of talks.
Those protesting included cast members, including cooks, dishwashers, and room attendants.
Daily Pilot: Anaheim Marriott union wins $2.75 million settlement in recalled workers’ case
“When workers stand together, accountability is possible,” Ada Briceño, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, said during a press conference. “Behind this settlement are families who struggle to pay rent, put food on the table and make ends meet. While this cannot erase those hardships, it delivers long overdue justice to every employee. The message is simple: respect workers and follow the law.”
Flying Food Group: Press Tsunami Over Alleged Health Violations
In-flight catering workers the Flying Food Group kitchen in LA reported exposure to cockroaches, mold, maggots, and excessive heat while preparing in-flight meals for flights leaving LAX. And—of course—the press worldwide went nuts over it! Here’s a sample of the coverage.
VOICE of OC: OC Supervisors and Developer at Odds over Dana Point Harbor Remodel
“It’s imperative that they have worker retention that will safeguard them when this specific project is finalized so workers can come back,” Ada Briceño, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11, said in a interview. “If John Wayne (Airport) already has worker retention and it’s a county-owned property, then we also need to make sure that the Dana Point hotel also has worker retention.”
VOICE OF OC: Anaheim Marriott Pays Nearly $3 Million to Laid-Off Workers After Alleged Labor Law Violation
“When the pandemic hit, I was laid off without warning and without being given a reason why. I waited for a call back to resume work once the pandemic ends but I did not get a call back,” Roberto Medina, a maintenance engineer from Anaheim who worked at the hotel for about 10 years, said at a press conference in Spanish.