Friday February 22nd 2008

Sixty or so people gathered into the basement hall of the UNITE HERE Mid Atlantic Regional Office on 10 W. Mulberry Street this past Monday evening to engage in a worker panel discussion with Hospitality Workers of the Sheraton City Center Hotel. The workers at the Sheraton, which is owned by the Columbia Sussex Corporation, have endorsed a boycott of their hotel after 2 years of failed negotiations leaving workers without a Union Contract.

Worker/ Leaders on the Panel along with UNITE-HERE! Organizers presented and moderated a discussion on the labor history of the hotel as well as the history of Columbia Sussex and it’s conduct. The Worker/ Leaders on the panel gave passionate testimonies of the various abuses, harsh conditions, exploitative and degrading practices that the workers have to endure. The workers face an increase of workload with an increase of layoffs, reduction of wages, elimination of affordable health care or pension plans, and job security. Many of the Worker/ Leaders on the panel have worked at the hotel for more than 10 years and spoke of the insecurity that Columbia Sussex has tried to impose, along with the divisive measures they are trying to impose to pitch workers against each other and to break Union and organizing efforts, which seems to have only emboldened the workers rather than demoralize.

The discussion turned into a question and answer with the diversity of community allies and supporters in the room. Many asking for elaborations on the work conditions, others extending support, and others proposing ideas. It was a great evening for supporters and Allies to find an outlet and way to become participants in this important struggle. UNITE- HERE! has organized a Boycott committee for allies and supporters to participate, is offering various internship positions and has a series of actions planned to put pressure on Columbia Sussex and to get closer to winning wages, security, and health care as well as strengthening workers and labor in a dominant industry that thrives off of and exists off of the degradation, insecurity and precarity of it’s workers.

The Hospitality Industry is the second largest and fastest growing industry in Baltimore. Workers in this industry are increasingly facing layoffs, cuts of wages and benefits, while the overall profits are increasing for companies. The Sheraton City Center Hotel is the only Union Organized Hotel in the city of Baltimore.

This upcoming Wednesday February 27th at 4:30pm the Workers, UNITE-HERE! Organizers and community allies and supporters will hold a Demonstration at the Sheraton City Center (101 West Fayette St.) a day before their next negotiations with Columbia Sussex.

For More info on the struggle, updates, and ways to participate contact: B-MORE UNITED!
UNITE HERE! Mid-Atlantic Regional Joint Board
Baltimore, MD 410-659-2191
And read:
baltimore.indymedia.org/newswire/display/16856/index.php