SeaTac, WA – On October 12, over 400 hotel workers at the Doubletree Seattle Airport and the Seattle Airport Hilton & Conference Center walked out and went on strike, joining hotel workers across the U.S. Workers at the two hotels are fighting for good raises, pension plan improvement, fair staffing and respect in their new contract.

The picket began at 5 a.m., when dozens of workers joined the picket line outside both striking hotels. As they marched, they chanted, “What do we want? Contract! When do we want it? Now!” and “If we don’t get it, shut it down!” Workers carried signs that read “Respect our work,” “One job should be enough” and “Make them pay.” Cars and buses passing by honked their horns in support as the picket continued throughout the day.

Doubletree and Hilton workers, including housekeepers, baristas, cooks and front desk agents, say that the company’s proposal falls short of what they need to take care of themselves and their families.

“They have refused to meet our requests that are very reasonable to meet. They basically told us that they don't have the money to pay us what we need to keep up with today’s cost of living in Washington. Their proposal wage is an extra dollar and fifty cents, and that is absolutely ridiculous to live in today’s world,” said Heather Beton, one of the striking workers. “We are demanding for them to stick to their promises that they gave us long ago and have yet to follow through on.”

“We're on strike because we’re fighting for better wages, better benefits, less workload. Since we've returned from COVID, it’s been a skeleton crew working harder than we should have to,” added Jen Webby, a shop steward at the Hilton. “Every bargaining session we’ve been to, they show up and bring nothing. I’ve worked here 26 years and I’ve never seen a company bargaining like this – they don't want to give us any money.”

Chris Rowan, a bartender at the Hilton, says he’s on strike to support his coworkers in other departments. “A lot of the people I work with make below Seattle minimum wage,” he said. “We need to make sure that they get what they need to survive. It’s a very expensive place to live, I see my coworkers struggling.”

Another worker, Miguel Lemus, said he is fighting for wages and healthcare benefits that can support him and his daughter as she undergoes medical treatment, stating, “I have a daughter with NMO, a medical condition like MS. I like to be in the union so I can get the benefits, the medical care. That’s why I’m here now, fighting.”

The pickets remained lively throughout the day and continued into the weekend. Workers played drums, blew whistles, banged pots and pans, and maintained a lively and energetic picket line.

On Tuesday, October 15, the announcement was made that the Hilton had reached out to the union and wants to bargain. “I say that means we are winning, but that also means we need to keep fighting!” said Jenn Webby, as she broke the news to the rest of the picket. “All they’ve said is they’ll come to the table – so we need to keep fighting. When we fight, we win!” Workers cheered, and broke out into chants of “I believe that we will win!”

On Wednesday, 100 striking hotel workers bused to a rally to support IAM machinists who have been on strike against Boeing for the last four weeks. On Thursday, they took the fight to downtown Seattle where they picketed in front of the Westin hotel. Workers at the Westin are also fighting for raises, respect, and better staffing in their contract, and joined the Doubletree and Hilton workers on a two day strike over Labor Day weekend earlier this year. As they picketed in front of the Westin, chants of “Make them pay!” and “My neck, my back, my paycheck is whack!” could be heard from blocks away.

Although the strike is set to end on Friday, October 18, workers have vowed to keep up the fight and have called for a boycott at the Westin, Doubletree Seattle Airport, and Seattle Airport Hilton and conference center until their demands are met.

#SeaTacWA #WA #Labor #Strike #UNITEHERE #Feature

Philadelphia, PA – On September 26, the Philadelphia Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression members joined the UNITE HERE Local 274 picket line as Philadelphia stadium workers struggled for healthcare and a living wage.

The strikes were a culmination of negotiations which began in January of this year. Despite Aramark making over $18 billion in revenue last year, workers are still getting the shaft. At $14.11 an hour, the wages that Aramark food service employees earn are among the lowest in comparison to concession workers in other parts of the country.

Even though many UNITE HERE members are working 40 hours a week or more, none of them are receiving full time benefits including health insurance. The benefits and pay are so insufficient that workers are forced to moonlight to provide for their families. UNITE HERE 274 overwhelmingly rejected a July proposal from Aramark for a small wage increase, calling it a “slap in the face.” With no further progress after that proposal, Aramark workers from all three stadiums voted to strike.

Briheem Douglas, a leader with UNITE HERE, told the picket line, “What we are doing now for the first time is striking all three stadiums for a big raise that we deserve. Aramark thinks we can’t do it. But what has history shown us? We can stick together, we can do it!” The line cheered and chanted, “Can we do it? Yes we can! Beat Aramark? Yes we can!”

The September strike was preceded by several other strikes, and a protest on June 12 near Aramark headquarters in the Center City neighborhood. Police arrested picketers who spoke out against the low wages and lack of benefits. Among the protesters arrested was Pennsylvania State Senator Nikil Saval.

Aramark stadium workers struck at all three Philadelphia stadiums for five days. The Philadelphia Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression members joined the picket line and passed out flyers asking football game attendees to support the boycott of concessions and merchandise at the stadiums called by UNITE HERE.

In a statement condemning police repression and supporting the Aramark workers’ campaign for a dignified life, the Philadelphia Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (PAARPR) stressed a win for UNITE HERE against Aramark would be a win against police repression.

#PhiladelphiaPA #PA #Labor #Strike #UNITEHERE #Aramark #NAARPR

Seattle, WA – On the afternoon July 25, workers at Homegrown Sustainable Sandwiches held a press conference outside Homegrown/Artisan Premades headquarters to condemn CEO Brad Gillis’ sudden announcement that he intends to close ten of the 12 Homegrown restaurants on September 15, putting over 150 people out of work.

Gillis’ announcement comes just three months after workers, members of Unite Here Local 8, ratified their first union contract, following a militant two year contract campaign. During the event, workers at various Homegrown locations came forward to give statements to the press that had gathered. Many of them expressed devastation, as well as shock, at the closures and how they received the news.

“We’re in shock. Completely out of nowhere, we saw there was a notice put up on the government website WARN, which legally requires employers to notify people 60 days in advance of layoffs, and that was how we found out. We’re going to call it what it is, which is union busting,” said Zane Smith, a worker at the Redmond Homegrown.

Other workers reflected on their contract campaign and the benefits and protections they had won, which had made their campaign an inspiration to workers across the country.

“I’m heartbroken.” said Sydney Lankford, who also works at the Redmond Homegrown. “In October I was illegally fired by this company for speaking in a union delegation. My coworkers and I went on strike, and we won. We won my reinstatement, and then we won this kickass contract – for ourselves, and for other food service workers.”

“Brad Gillis never came to us, he never came to our union to talk this over or bring alternatives. Brad didn’t make a business decision; he made a decision to not give workers livable wages – he is a union buster,” Lankford continued.

Zane Smith, who fought alongside Lankford and their coworkers and the Redmond Homegrown, was next to make remarks. “It’s important for us to be out here today because food service workers in Seattle, and the US, have looked to our campaign, they’ve looked to what we’ve won in terms of heat pay and our historic first contract, but also because bosses are looking to Brad right now. Workers in this country are rising up, organization is on an upswing right now over the last five years, and bosses are looking for ways to kill the momentum that workers have.”

“Brad may think that he’s won by shutting down our union, by firing 158 people who now have to find healthcare, pay rent, and find ways to feed their kids elsewhere, but he has not. 150 people are going to go to their next job knowing that when workers stand up, we can win, and knowing that the fight is worth it,” said Smith.

Homegrown workers say they will continue to fight against union busting and for severance, as well as the protection of as many jobs as possible.

#SeattleWA #WA #Labor #UNITEHERE #Homegrown #Layoffs #UnionBusting #Feature

The Homegrown Worker’s Union, members of Unite Here Local 8, was notified on July 18, after it leaked in the news, that Homegrown Sustainable Sandwiches plans on closing 10 out of its 12 locations, effective September 15. The company has confirmed that this closure would result in the layoffs of 158 of its employees. We condemn these closures and layoffs in the strongest possible terms. We are enraged and devastated that after over two years of organizing and action to win livable wages and benefits for Homegrown workers, our CEO has chosen this course. Employees, including managers, were notified of this decision via email just 60 days before the proposed date of the closures, the minimum timeline required by Washington State law, and have been given no further information at this time.

In an email sent out to all employees at 3:42 pm on July 18, Homegrown CEO Brad Gillis claimed, “economic impacts, including rising labor costs and food prices, have created an unsustainable model for keeping all of our locations in business.” We fully reject the implication that it is impossible to pay food service workers a livable wage and benefits while staying in business. We will call this what it is – union busting.

From the beginning, our union has been a source of unity and strength for those of us who work at Homegrown. When just one of our coworkers was fired for her organizing, dozens of workers at multiple locations in the company went on strike for several months to win her job back. By staying united and taking strong and militant actions in our contract fight, we won a workplace with livable wages, protections, and heat pay. In the process, we have inspired food service workers across the country to fight for what they deserve. We extend our love and solidarity to these workers and encourage them to keep fighting, wherever they are, for the job and wages they deserve.

Our fight for sustainable jobs, living wages, and benefits is a just fight. A system that allows CEOs to terminate over 150 employees in search of higher profits elsewhere is an unjust system. We are still investigating the terms and specifics of Homegrown’s decision, and we will fight steadfast against union busting with any and all tools available to us.

#SeattleWA #WA #Labor #UNITEHERE #Homegrown #UnionBusying

New Orleans, LA – On May 1, immigrants and workers celebrated International Workers Day with a fiery march on New Orleans City Hall. They were led by the banners of Unión Migrante, an immigrant rights organization that hosts the annual May Day march to uplift the struggle of undocumented workers. They waved signs and beat drums while marching during busy downtown rush-hour traffic, loudly chanting in support of worker power.

Unión Migrante hosted a diverse coalition of unions and community organizations which represented essential industries that the working class upholds. These included United Teachers of New Orleans, IATSE Local 478, UNITE HERE Local 23, Starbucks Workers United and more.

Speakers highlighted that after every natural disaster that harms the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, it is immigrant workers who sweat to rebuild while our government neglects the needs of the people.

The march was also attended by members of New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP) including Palestinian community members and supporters. Speakers highlighted the hypocrisy of our government, which they say neglects the advancement of workers’ rights while pouring our tax money into the genocide in Gaza.

One speaker from Freedom Road Socialist Organization drew out this connection. “The United States creates a refugee crisis in so many countries by spreading war and exploitation all over the globe. The media ignores the fact that it is imperialism that forces people to leave their home country and work here for low wages,” she said.

The marchers alternated between English and Spanish language chants to emphasize their unity. Immigrant and non-immigrants workers chanted together “No papers, no fear” and “The people united, will never be defeated!”

#NewOrleansLA #LA #Labor #ImmigrantRights #MayDay #FRSO #SBWU #IATSE #UTNO #UNITEHERE

Seattle, WA – On Thursday, September 14, over 100 Homegrown workers from six retail locations walked off the job to demand a new contract. The strike took place across the greater Seattle area for three consecutive days. Each day the strike grew, so that by Saturday, workers from all eight of nine Homegrown locations had joined. Homegrown workers are represented by UNITE HERE Local 8 and have been bargaining with the company for over eight months.

Homegrown workers’ militancy has led to significant progress in contract negotiations. However, the company refuses to move on a few key issues. “We're striking because we got stonewalled in our last bargaining session,” said Owen Juell, a worker at Homegrown’s University Village location. “And right now, we're fighting for successorship language so we can keep our union if the company's sold, a fair living wage, and health insurance that we can afford.”

“I need healthcare for my family, wife, and my two kids,” said Russell Concha, a Homegrown catering driver. Currently, Homegrown’s healthcare doesn’t cover spouses or dependents, and can cost over $800 a month, which is unaffordable for on their substandard wages. “I want a wage that allows me to save for college and live on my own,” added Mackenzie Shannon, a Homegrown worker from Redmond.

On the first day, picketing began at 10 a.m. at Homegrown shops in Capitol Hill, Redmond, Mercer Island, and Queen Anne. At the Capitol Hill picket, workers were joined by members of Seattle’s Strike Solidarity Committee, local community activists, and other union workers. “It's great. Capitol Hill's a really big community in a lot of ways. And so it's cool that we're able to be here because we've had a lot of really positive support,” said Juell. “We've been getting a bunch of honks. People are yelling across the street, chanting with us. It's been awesome.”

At 2 p.m., striking workers and their supporters gathered on Mercer Island for a joint picket and rally. Those on the picket line were not afraid to call Homegrown’s owner, Brad Gillis, out by name in their demands. Chants of “Brad, Brad, give us cash! Power to the working class!” and “Brad got his milk and honey but Homegrown workers got no money!” could be heard throughout the neighborhood.

On Friday, workers from Homegrown’s store in downtown Seattle walked out to join in the strike effort. Their shop is one of the most well-trafficked in the area. Workers mobilized from locations around the city to pressure the company back to the bargaining table. Accompanying the downtown effort, another picket took place on Mercer Island, where activists and union members mobilized from as far as Tacoma to show solidarity. Each picket had dozens of Homegrown workers and were militant displays of worker power led by the rank and file.

The strike was punctuated by the strongest showing yet on Saturday. Workers from the Kirkland Homegrown joined the strike, which meant that no Homegrown locations across the Seattle area remained open for business. “This picket is awesome. It’s fantastic. I didn't know there would be more people actually joining us on this picket. It’s been like this the whole strike,” said Concha.

Newly hired Homegrown worker Lucia Lambert had a simple but powerful message for all workers who want better working conditions. “This strike has made a lot of progress, so it works,” she said. “I'm actually on insurance from the postal office, which was family insurance that was won by a union a long time ago. My stepdad's a mailman back in Minnesota and we've got like seven people on it. They even include stepkids. I know that I'm benefiting from union insurance, and I feel like if you're fighting for family insurance from a union, I have to show up.”

Homegrown workers await a response from the company on the key issues that have stonewalled negotiations and are prepared to continue escalating to win their demands.

#SeattleWA #Homegrown #UNITEHERE #UNITEHERELocal8 #Strike

New Orleans, LA – On September 14, volunteers petitioned outside of five non-union Starbucks to rally customers against the company’s union busting.

Volunteers waved signs and collected signatures for an open letter condemning Starbucks’ repression. They canvassed at the Harrison, Claiborne, Freret, St. Claude, and Terry Parkway locations.

After a nearly two-year organizing wave, Starbucks workers still don’t have a contract. The company has launched the most widespread union-busting campaign in the country. This has included denying benefits to union workers and firing organizers. Despite this, over 350 stores have unionized to date. They’ve won informal concessions in pay, benefits and safety measures.

“Today members from Local 23 New Orleans are supporting Starbucks Workers United in their effort to organize and negotiate for a fair contract, in solidarity,” said Leah Bailey, UNITE HERE! community and political organizer.

Freedom Road Socialist Organization led the local action in response to a national call by Starbucks Workers United.

#NewOrleansLA #StarbucksWorkersUnited #UNITEHERE

On Thursday at 10 a.m., the Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, University Village, Redmond, Mercer Island, and Southcenter Homegrown locations will picket, followed by a large joint picket at 2 p.m. at Mercer Island. Homegrown workers have made good progress with company towards a decent contract, but the company’s latest proposal still leaves healthcare insurance unaffordable for many workers.

Homegrown worker Millie Saucedo said, “I need affordable healthcare for my two kids and my husband, who has heart issues. Right now, I’m uninsured because the cost is too expensive. There’s no way I can afford $800 per month on my pay.”

About a year ago, workers at Homegrown and Catapult NW, Homegrown Group’s wholesale distribution arm, went on strike over workplace issues including heat, smoke, gender pay disparity, COVID sick-day policy, and installation of worker surveillance cameras.

Workers in Homegrown’s cafes and wholesale distribution company Catapult NW filed for union elections with the NLRB in October 2022 after their strikes, company-wide delegations, picketing, and leafleting of customers and clients.

Workers in Homegrown retail cafes are eager to settle a decent contract that will have the wages and benefits to make their jobs and lives in the Seattle area sustainable.

Homegrown catering driver Russell Concha said, “I’ve worked at Homegrown for eight years. Right now, I work two jobs in order to make ends meet. I start work at Homegrown at 4 a.m. and I get off my second job at 11 p.m. I’m fighting for a raise so that I can only work one job, and get to spend more time with my kids and family.”

Queen Anne Homegrown worker Emily highlighted the need for the contract to stay in effect if the company is sold, saying, “I've worked at Homegrown for five years. I'm fighting for a contract that will allow me to stay in the company long term, and I need to know that I can keep this job if the company is sold.”

#SeattleWA #UNITEHERE #UNITEHERELocal8 #Strike

Los Angeles, CA – 14,000 hotel workers in Southern California went on strike at 19 hotels in Long Beach, Santa Monica, downtown Los Angeles and North Hollywood on July 2. The strike was planned to last three days covering the July 4 holiday. Union members say if their demands are not met, more strikes will happen.

Last week, in the face of a strike, the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites agreed to a contract, and the workers won their demands. Now the workers at other hotels are looking to replicate their success. The workers are organized with UNITE HERE Local 11, and their contract expired at midnight on Friday, June 30. Now the workers are demanding a raise of $5 per hour, pension reform and increases to the number of staff the hotels have.

One worker, Vanessa Avendano, has worked at a Marriot hotel in downtown Los Angeles for 17 years and is hoping to retire. She said “We need a contract that is fair. This company knows what we want, and they don’t want to give it to us, that’s why we’re here on strike.”

On July 4, the striking workers convened in front of the Ritz Carlton for a protest, chanting “If we don’t get it, shut it down!” Speakers at the rally demanded that the companies go back to the bargaining table and negotiate with them in good faith.

The July 4 rally was attended in solidarity with members from other Los Angeles area unions like SEIU 99 and Teamsters 396 and 952. It was the final action planned before the workers return to their jobs on July 5, but if the companies continue to ignore workers’ demands, the union workers say they will continue to fight for what they deserve.

#LosAngelesCA #UniteHere

Chicago, IL – Thousands of striking hotel housekeepers, servers, cooks, doormen and other workers marched on Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile, Sept. 13 to press their demands for a decent contract. Workers from 26 hotels are now out on strike.

#ChicagoIL #strike #Strikes #UniteHere #UniteHereLocal1 #ChicagoHotelStrike

Minneapolis, MN – With chants of “Si se puede!” (yes we can!) and “Obama, escucha, estamos en la lucha!” (Obama, listen, we’re in the struggle!), 3000 people marched through Minneapolis for immigrant rights on Oct. 5, a national day of action for immigrant dignity and respect. This was the largest march for immigrant rights in Minneapolis in several years. The protest began at Basilica of St. Mary Church then marched through downtown Minneapolis to Hennepin County Government Plaza (also known as People’s Plaza).

Marchers carried many different banners, signs and shirts, most of which called on Congress and President Obama to take action now to legalize all 11 million undocumented immigrants.

Many unions brought contingents to the march, including Service Employees International Union, United Food and Commercial Workers, UNITE HERE, International Union Painters and Allied Trades District Council 82 and others. Many Latino churches brought contingents as well. Over 20 buses also came from several smaller towns in greater Minnesota that have Latino immigrant communities.

A No More Deportations contingent marched with two banners and several signs demanding “No more deportations,” “Legalization for all,” and “No militarization of the border.”

#MinneapolisMN #PeoplesStruggles #legalizationForAll #ImmigrantsRights #L4A #DACA #UniteHere