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Ahead of the World Cup, Embassy Suites Workers Vote to Strike!

Hotel workers at Embassy Suites in downtown Seattle have voted 94% yes to authorize a strike! If you are a community member who wants to support Embassy Suites workers, please sign our pledge and join the Strike Support Team!

Embassy Suites sits next to Lumen Field, where the World Cup games will be played. Local 8 members at the hotel are fighting for a new union contract that includes year-round healthcare coverage, protections from ICE, fair raises, and a return to pre-pandemic staffing levels. “The market right now is bad for the whole country,” says Stiliano Hibroj, a banquet houseman. “Housing, bills, groceries – everything costs more. The raises the hotel is offering are ridiculous.” Management has also rejected workers’ ask to be notified when the hotel knows DHS is on property. “As a brown woman,” says front desk agent Dom Kaur, “I know ICE does not care whether you are a U.S. citizen. It is wrong for our bosses to sit there and say they cannot do anything about it.” A strike could now begin at any time.

You can find news coverage in this media collection.

Cafeteria workers at the Peninsula School District have joined the Union and won a great  first contract with significant raises and quality healthcare!

“At first, I wasn’t in favor of the Union. I’m so glad I changed my mind and joined the Union and then the bargaining committee!  We won $6 in raises over four years and $3 of that in just the first 12 months. Now we will also have year-round quality healthcare. My co-workers and I are happy to be  a part of Local 8.”
  –Julie Rains, Peninsula School District food service worker lead (32 years)

Cafeteria workers at Seattle University settled their contract this spring!

Highlights include improved protections around immigration, civil rights and domestic violence, increased vacation time, maintenance of affordable healthcare, and big wage increases.

“We won $8.50 over 4 years, plus up to $1.50 in seniority-based raises. Now I’m able to live more comfortably with my son, without having to worry about the cost of living as much!”
  –Andrea Martinez, Supervisor

Welcoming New Members to Local 8

Workers at SSP at the Portland Airport won Union recognition in the summer of 2022. They are now beginning to negotiate their first contract! Congratulations to our newest members!