June 6, 2011, Chris Thomas, Public News Service – WA
SEATTLE – Hotel housekeepers in Washington and several other states say it’s time to break the silence about what they claim is the routine sexual misconduct they face in their jobs. Their campaign comes in the wake of two high-profile alleged sexual assaults on housekeepers in New York City. Click here to continue reading and listen to the radio story
Breaking the Silence
When two housekeepers in New York came forward to report assault on the job, taking on some of the most powerful men in the world, they exposed some of the grittier and oftentimes hidden aspects of hotel work–the work of scrubbing toilets, changing sheets, and encountering guests alone behind closed doors. Hotel housekeepers–overwhelmingly women, immigrants, and people of color–are the invisible backbone of the hotel industry. While incidents of sexual assault are uncommon, the women who work as housekeepers routinely face a broader spectrum of dangers at work, from sexual harassment to the debilitating injuries that many women sustain after years of making beds and scrubbing floors. Read more…
When you’re sick, staying home is the responsible thing to do. This is particularly true when you work in industries where you handle and serve food or provide health care services. But in Seattle, an estimated 190,000 workers don’t get paid sick days and therefore can’t afford to do the right thing and stay home. And sure enough, they tend to work in the restaurants, grocery stores, medical centers and other service-oriented jobs that involve interacting with the public. Read more…
Join us for a community forum on the need for paid sick days in Seattle. Invitations have been extended to members of the Seattle City Council and the mayor’s office.
Wednesday, May 11
5PM – 7PM
University Christian Church
4731 15th Ave NE, Seattle
For event details, click here.
New study shows benefits of paid sick days.
Food safety and public health top the list of benefits of ensuring people working in Seattle have paid sick leave – but according to a new report, it would also improve children’s health and school performance, and provide support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. There are economic benefits too: paid sick leave reduces business costs through reduced turnover and absences, and increases workplace productivity and morale.
The report, produced by the Economic Opportunity Institute, takes a look at the numbers behind the discussion about paid sick days. For a few highlights and do download the report, click here.
UNITE HERE has a strong presence in the food and beverage and retail concessions industry, representing and organizing workers in all the national companies. Our members work for HMSHost, Delaware North Companies Travel & Hospitality Services, or DNC-THS (formerly CA One Services), SSP America (formerly Creative Host Services), Concessions International, OTG, Hudson Group, HDS Retail and The Paradies Shops. Airport concessions workers at airports across the United States and Canada are joining UNITE HERE to improve their lives, the lives of their families, and the health of their communities.
Patronize the following Unionized Concessionaires
May 2, 2011
On the heels of an exciting community event last week, UNITE HERE! Local 8 members started to turn up the heat on hospitality employers in the streets of downtown Seattle. At a rally for immigrant and workers’ rights in front of the Seattle Hilton, hotel workers united with thousands of people demonstrating for immigrant and workers’ rights.
“We are workers, we are one,” was the message of unity and support for workers directed at the Hilton and other King County hospitality employers. Watch videos of the moment when the May Day march arrived at the Hilton. You can also find pictures of the rally here.