UNITE HERE Local 11 and Worker Power Knock on 1.6 Million Doors for Midterms in 2nd and 5th Largest Cities in U.S. 

Over 600 cooks, dishwashers, housekeepers and  food service workers fight to elect pro-worker candidates across Arizona and Southern California

AZ and CA: As the 2022 midterm elections come to a close, the hospitality workers union UNITE HERE Local 11 in coalition with Worker Power, which focuses on young voters, people of color and swing voters, celebrate their work in Arizona, Los Angeles and Orange County to elect leaders who will fight for working families up and down the ballot.

Starting as early as May, a total of over 600 canvassers with UNITE HERE Local 11 and Worker Power knocked on a total of 1.6 million doors, and had 250,000 conversations with voters between the two states. They knocked on 1 million of those doors after the primary elections.

These are the same hospitality workers who, in 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic, turned Arizona blue for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris by knocking on 800,000 doors, and then went to Georgia for the special Senate election to secure seats for Senators Warnock and Ossoff.

In Arizona, Worker Power and UNITE HERE Local 11 knocked on 750,000 doors and contacted 120,000 voters with 400 canvassers by election day on the ground across Maricopa county, advocating for candidates U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, Katie Hobbs, Adrian Fontes, state legislators Christine Marsh and Judy Schwiebert, Kellen Wilson for Phoenix City Council District 6, and Carlos Garcia for Phoenix City Council District 8.

Phoenix, AZ: “Our canvassers have been hard at it since the late summer, hitting almost half a million doors since Labor Day alone,” said UNITE HERE Local 11 Co-President Susan Minato. “Our members have canvassed cycle after cycle for the last 15 years in Arizona because they know that it’s door-by-door that things are going to change. In addition to canvassing for Senator Mark Kelly, who we successfully got elected in 2020, and Secretary of State/gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs, this year we have proudly run one of our own members for Phoenix City Council – Kellen Wilson. Kellen would join our member Betty Guardado who we got elected to Phoenix City Council in 2019. Bellmen, bartenders, cooks, and housekeepers have led the charge for political change in Arizona, and they won’t stop now.”

In Los Angeles, UNITE HERE Local 11 knocked on a total of 770,000 doors contacted over 100,000 voters with over 100 canvassers to elect Karen Bass for Mayor, Hugo Soto-Martinez for Los Angeles City Council District 13, Erin Darling for Los Angeles City Council District 11, and Lindsey Horvath for Los Angeles County Supervisor.

Los Angeles, CA: “I am proud of Hugo, who is one of our own,” said Local 11 Executive Vice President Martha Santamaria. “He comes from humble beginnings and worked to organize his own hotel. He knows what it is to be a working person, and he will be an excellent voice for working families on Los Angeles’ City Council.”

“The hospitality industry is the backbone of Los Angeles’ economy – when the industry goes up, the workers’ livelihoods should go up, and the city’s economy goes up by extension,” said Co-President Kurt Petersen. “Local 11 members put on their masks and their sneakers this summer to gather over 110,000 signatures for a housekeeper ordinance that was passed into law this July at the same time as we campaigned for one of our own to get onto LA City Council.”

In Orange County, Worker Power and UNITE HERE Local 11 knocked on 80,000 doors across Anaheim and contacted over 14,000 voters with 50 cooks, housekeepers, dishwashers and servers on the ground. Our members in Orange County walked for Anaheim Mayor candidate Ashley Aitken, and council candidates Al Jabbar, Carlos Leon, and Orange County Board of Supervisor candidates Sunny Park and Vicente Sarmiento.

Anaheim, CA: “The citizens of Anaheim are sick of corruption in city politics, and we heard that over and over again as we knocked on their doors,” said Campaign Director Austin Lynch, Worker Power and UNITE HERE Local 11. “People are ready for politicians who will fight for them, like Ashley Aitken, Al Jabbar and Carlos Leon.”

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UNITE HERE Local 11 is a labor union representing over 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona who work in hotels, restaurants, universities, convention centers, and airports.
Worker Power is a multi-racial, multi-generational organization that uses union organizing tactics and community-driven electoral campaigns to fight for economic, social, and immigrant justice

HUGO THANKS UNITE HERE LOCAL 11

This is not a watch party for some politician. This is a family and a movement and a celebration of coming together to take on big challenges. Hospitality workers are going to keep this energy going for a long time, Los Angeles. ¡Sí se puede! — UNITE HERE Local 11

Laura Banuet Canvassing in Arizona

In 2022, HMS HOST Cashier at LAX Lara Banuet went to Arizona to knock on doors and fight for our democracy.

Ana Diaz Canvassing in Arizona

In Arizona, Worker Power and UNITE HERE Local 11 knocked on 750,000 doors and contacted 120,000 voters with 400 canvassers by election day on the ground across Maricopa county, advocating for candidates U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, Katie Hobbs, Adrian Fontes, state legislators Christine Marsh and Judy Schwiebert, Kellen Wilson for Phoenix City Council District 6, and Carlos Garcia for Phoenix City Council District 8.

JOB OPENING: Grievance Handler

UNITE HERE Local 11 is a progressive, movement-based labor union working to improve labor standards in the hospitality sector. Based in Los Angeles, we represent over 35,000 workers employed in hotels, restaurants, airports, sports arenas, and convention centers throughout Southern California and Arizona. Reflecting the needs of our membership, we are at the forefront of efforts to defend the rights of immigrants, people of color, and women in the workplace and in the political sphere.

We are seeking a dynamic and passionate individual to serve as a grievance handler for our growing organizing and contracts teams. The program includes training and hands-on experience in worker interviewing, contract enforcement, organizing, and campaign strategy. As a grievance handler with Local 11, you will be part of a larger effort to organize workers and defend their rights, win better wages and working conditions, and build power for workers across the Union’s jurisdiction.

UNITE HERE Local 11 has four offices in California (Los Angeles, Garden Grove, Inglewood, and Long Beach) and one in Phoenix, Arizona. This position works primarily from our main offices in Los Angeles.

GRIEVANCE HANDLER

Job Responsibilities

include but are not limited to the following:

  • Conduct worker interviews and site visits to investigate potential violations of collective bargaining agreements and legal protections;
  • Support Local 11 attorneys and organizers in filing administrative complaints where violations implicate local, state, or federal law;
  • File grievances on behalf of workers and ensure that grievance procedures are followed;
  • Correspond with company representatives concerning grievance meetings, requests for information related to grievances, and other matters;
  • Work with organizers and Local 11 attorneys to educate workers regarding their contractual and legal rights;
  • Train Union staff, shop stewards, and members on grievance handling and contract enforcement;
  • Maintain our grievance module and other organizational systems to ensure the grievance process is followed and filings are timely;
  • Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements/Qualifications

The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required for the position:

  • Demonstrated excellent organizational skills and high capacity for attention to detail
  • Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize work
  • Ability to work independently within the context of a plan
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills; must work well with others
  • A strong commitment to building power with working people; advocacy and campaign experience within the labor movement are preferred but not required
  • Spanish language skills are highly preferred

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are determined by the Local 11 staff union contract. The pay rate for probationary grievance handlers in 2022 was $19.71. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life, employer contributions to a union pension fund, and legal services.

How To Apply:

Please email a résumé, references, and cover letter with “Grievance Handler Application” in the email subject line to dosborn[at]unitehere11[dot]org. Please include your available start date in the cover letter.

Martha Santamaria for Hugo Soto-Martínez for LA City Council

“I am proud of Hugo, who is one of our own. He comes from humble beginnings and worked to organize his own hotel. He knows what it is to be a working person, and he will be an excellent voice for working families on Los Angeles’ City Council.” UNITE HERE Local 11 Executive Vice President Martha Santamaria.

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STRIKE ALERT: Pomona College Dining Hall Workers Walk Out on Strike During Family Weekend

Workers Demand that Prestigious College Pay a Living Wage

Pomona, CA: Following stagnant negotiations with Pomona College, at 6 am this morning, dozens of dining hall workers at Pomona College walked out on strike as Family Weekend begins.

The workers’ primary contract demand is a significant raise to keep pace with the soaring cost of living. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates that a living wage for a family of four with two working adults in Los Angeles County is $30.73 an hour.  Some dining hall employees, the overwhelmingly majority of whom are people of color, earn $18.00 an hour.

“ I am on strike because I deserve to provide for my family, the same way I care for Pomona’s wonderful  students. As a skilled worker at Pomona College, my profession contributes to the health and wellness of the students and the college’s overall success.” said Marie O’Campo, baker of 8 years at Pomona College.

Pomona College has been ranked consistently among the country’s most prestigious colleges and universities. Dining hall workers at similar prestigious universities such as Yale University and Wesleyan College earn more than $30.00 an hour.

Pomona College’s $3 billion endowment is the 7th highest among all U.S. universities and colleges – ahead of Yale and Wesleyan – on a per student basis. Earlier this fall, Pomona opened a $57 million new athletic facility.

“I am striking because I want more for myself and for my family. There are employees that have been working here for 30 years or more and they deserve more. I hope to one day be able to make enough to buy a house,” said Hector Melendrez, who earns $18.00 an hour as a utility worker.

“Pomona College has failed to meet the workers’ demands. They have chosen to take a brave step, and we hope the college will finally listen to their concerns and give them the living wage they deserve,” said Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11

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Dodger Stadium Workers Vote 98% To Ratify Historic Union Contract During MLB Playoffs

Los Angeles — Stand workers hit it out of the park, win over $13 in raises and guaranteed tips Los Angeles: As the Los Angeles Dodgers begin game two of the MLB division playoffs, concession stadium workers who staff the food and beverage  stands at Dodger Stadium voted 98% in favor of ratifying a historic union contract with the concessions giants at the stadium: Compass Group and Levy Restaurants.

Dodger stadium concessions workers voted to strike if needed ahead of this year’s MLB All-Star Game. Following positive negotiations since then, Compass/Levy workers at Dodger Stadium are proud to announce that over 75% of workers will earn more than 30 dollars an hour by the end of their new contract. Some employees—including stand workers, dishwashers, and cooks—will see increases of more than $13 an hour. Workers also won additional pay in recognition of service during COVID-19 and increased funding for their pensions and healthcare.

“This is a historic day for Dodger Stadium workers. As the team goes on to play for the top prize in baseball, the workers who serve the food and pour the drinks have also won. These workers will now earn wages where they can support a family,” said Susan Minato, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11

“With these new raises, I will finally be able to afford an apartment of my own, instead of sharing a room. This contract will change my life,” said Cheryl Angustain, who has worked four seasons in concessions for Compass/Levy at Dodger Stadium.

“My family and I bleed blue. We are proud to work at Dodger Stadium to give the fans the experience they have come to expect. This new contract makes us feel like champions!,” said Sylvia Sosa, a bartender for Compass/Levy who has worked 46 seasons at Dodger Stadium. Compass Group is the sixth-largest company in the world. Its subsidiary, Levy Restaurants, employs nearly 1,500 food servers, bartenders, suite attendants, cooks and dishwashers at Dodger Stadium.