Seattle Community Launches “30 Days Till Pride” Campaign, Asking Space Needle to Fly Rainbow Flag and Respect Workers

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A growing number of LGBTQ, immigrant rights and labor organizations are teaming up to ask the Space Needle to fly the Rainbow flag during Pride annually and settle its ongoing labor dispute with workers. For the next 30 days till Pride, these communities will launch an online petition as well as weekly direct actions.

This growing collaboration represents what the Pride flag stands for – fairness, equality and human dignity for all. A significant percentage of LGBTQ and immigrant employees in the hospitality industry (which includes restaurants and hotels) lack access to affordable health care and living wages.

“Marriage equality in Washington State legally protects our families, but we also need to ensure that we can economically support our families,” said Ryan Blackhawke, board member of LGBTQ Allyship.

The Space Needle, as the icon of Seattle, can set an example of a just and healthy economy by settling its ongoing labor dispute and by being an example to the rest of the tourism industry.

“I am really proud to work at the symbol of Seattle, but it has been hard to work under a labor dispute the last two years,” says Cisco Cole-Daum, a server at the SkyCity Restaurant at the top of the Space Needle. “I also support the LGBT community and I want to see the Space Needle stand for equality and fairness for everyone.”

Space Needle employees have come out in support of flying the Rainbow flag during Pride by wearing rainbow buttons at work on May 23rd that read ‘Fairness for Everyone’.

Recently, the City of Seattle announced that City Hall would be flying the Rainbow flag during Pride, marking the adoption of marriage equality in Washington State.

“The flag at City Hall is a great step representing Seattle’s commitment to justice,” said Blackhawke. “We hope the most visible symbol of Seattle will follow that example with the flag, as well as bring justice for its workers.”

Supporting organizations include: Pridefest, Entre Hermanos, Ingersoll Gender Center, Pride At Work, Puget Sound Sage, Social Outreach Seattle, Seattle LGBT Commission, The Seattle Lesbian, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Seattle Chapter, Washington Community Action Network, Trans Lives Matter, El Comite Pro-Reforma Migratioria y Justicia Social, Gender Justice League, Casa Latina, UNITE HERE Local 8 and LGBTQ Allyship.

UNITE HERE Local 8 endorses Mayor McGinn’s Re-election effort

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(Seattle) UNITE HERE Local 8, the union representing hotel and food service workers, announced today they are endorsing Mayor Mike McGinn’s campaign for another four-year term as mayor of Seattle.

During his first term, Mayor McGinn played an instrumental role in passing Seattle’s groundbreaking paid sick days law. He also publicly supported Hyatt workers in their effort to organize for a better workplace free of employer intimidation, and championed the creation of good jobs for stadium workers with the return of the Seattle Supersonics.

“Mayor McGinn has proven to be an incredibly strong advocate for hospitality workers in Seattle,” said Erik Van Rossum, President of UNITE HERE Local 8. “From passing the nation’s third paid sick leave law to creating jobs and standing with workers, Mayor McGinn is the most progressive mayor in America.”

“Mayor McGinn has consistently supported good quality jobs and responsible economic growth,” continued Van Rossum. “Time and again when hotel housekeepers, cooks, dishwashers, servers and stadium concession workers need a strong voice at City Hall, Mayor McGinn is there.”

“I am excited to get the endorsement of some of the hardest working people in the city,” said Mayor McGinn. “I am proud to stand with them.”

Workers and Community Stand for Justice at the Symbol of Seattle

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PRESS RELEASE: As Space Needle Workers Gain Traction for a Fair Contract, Local Unions Picket in Solidarity

After months of inactivity, the Space Needle agrees to federal mediation with workers’ union to settle job security battle.
What: Informational picket and press conference in front of the Space Needle with labor and community leaders calling for a fair contract and job security for the nearly 200 workers at the Needle.

When: 12:15pm, Thursday March 14, 2013

Where: Space Needle, 400 Broad St. Seattle WA 98102

Who: Jeff Johnson, President of Washington State Labor Council. Tracey Thompson, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117; and Roberto Ramirez, Space Needle Server Assistant and union activist. More Space Needle workers available for interview.

Background: After months of inactivity, the Space Needle agrees to come back to the negotiation table with their workers’ union through federal mediation on March 28, 2013. The company had ramped up their anti-union campaign over the last two years when they fired and suspended union activists, denied overtime pay to its workers, created dangerous workloads for its kitchen staff, and racked up several Unfair Labor Practice charges pending with the federal government. Now workers are expected to continue the last leg of the fight and demand job security in their contract.

In the days leading up to the mediation, local Seattle labor leaders are rallying their support for the Space Needle workers as they prepare the next phase of their campaign. “It’s disappointing to see an iconic Seattle landmark like the Space Needle treat their workers unfairly, and we in the labor community will not stand for it,” says Jeff Johnson, president of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Union activists will show their strong support for Space Needle workers on a picket line thisThursday at 12:15pm.

“We’re not asking for the moon, all we’re asking for is some sense of job security. I don’t want to have to constantly worry that I might be fired or laid off just because my manager found somebody willing to work for less money. I’ve been part of the Space Needle family for the last six years, and it’s time for them to finally treat us like part of the family,” says Crystal Doll, a Sky City restaurant cook.

“The Space Needle is currently demanding that the City Council protect views of the Needle from South Lake Union,” notes Erik Van Rossum, President of UNITE HERE Local 8, the union representing nearly 200 Space Needle workers. “They want a sense of security from the city, and yet they have not given their workers any security.”

Van Rossum adds: “I would like to have a view of a Seattle landmark that respects Seattle workers.”

For more information, please visit our website at: http://www.unitehere8.org, or contact Jasmine Marwaha at 206-963-6458 or [email protected]

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UNITE HERE Local 8 represents about 4,000 workers in the hospitality industries of Washington and Oregon State. Local 8 members work in hotels, restaurants, food service, and airport concessions. They include room cleaners, cooks, bartenders, bellmen, food and beverage servers, bussers, and dishwashers.

Space Needle Workers – We Are Family

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Hi! My name is Crystal and I love my Job. I have been a cook at Sky City Restaurant for almost six years. For those of you who don’t know it is the restaurant way at the tippy top of one of our nation’s most Iconic landmarks- The Space Needle.

From an early age I knew that I wanted to be a cook. There is something truly magical about a well cooked meal that brings people together and nurtures happiness and contentment. Sadly, in my first years of professional cooking I realized the reality of working in a kitchen. Restaurant work in general means a lot of sweat with little money and few breaks if any. It is a hard and thankless job for anyone to do but at the Space Needle things are better than that and no small part of it is because of the union.

For each and every person having a union means something different. For some it might mean that they have a voice and can work without the constant fear of unjust retaliation, for others it might mean affordable family medical or sick leave but for me it meant that my dreams of owning a home could come true. I don’t have to constantly worry that I might be fired or laid off just because my manager may not like me or that they found somebody who could work for less money.

After almost four years of searching and saving I bought a house. I never thought that it would be possible for a single female line cook to dream the American dream of becoming a home owner. My house may not be a mansion on a hill with a long driveway and elegant topiaries but it is mine. A little safe place all my own that I can escape to and it is because of my security in both my job and my union that I was ever brave enough to take the first step toward realizing a future that is not paycheck to paycheck.

Crystal, Sky City Cook- 6 years

Click Here to Sign the Petition to Support the brave Space Needle workers!

Call to Action!

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Space Needle Intensifies Anti-Union Campaign, as Workers and Community Stand up Against Rising Tide of Low Wage Jobs

How can you help?

  • Click here to sign a petition to demand the Space Needle end its anti-worker campaign and return to the bargaining table to settle a fair contract.
  • JOIN US at our next rally at the Space Needle – Tuesday, February 26th at 3:30pm!

Space Needle workers have been standing up for a fair contract for almost two years, demanding living wages, continued benefits, and job security – protection from being replaced by a low wage subcontractor.

In the last year, as workers and community supporters continued to stand up for a fair contract, the Space Needle has fired and suspended union activists, denied overtime pay to its workers, created dangerous workloads for its kitchen staff, and racked up several Unfair Labor Practice charges pending with the federal government. In the meantime, workers continue to turn up the heat in their campaign for respect and a fair contract.

Faced with a determined union committee and workforce, the Space Needle elevated its anti-worker campaign to a new level this week, actively campaigning to urge workers to resign from the Union, going so far as to provide a prepared form for workers to sign.  They continued their scare campaign by stating that one of the only actions left for workers to take is to go on strike, and that the company is prepared to replace striking workers.

Instead of intimidating workers, the Space Needle should use ther energy and resources to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract.

YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT THESE BRAVE WORKERS!

·         Click here to sign a petition to demand the Space Needle end its anti-worker campaign and return to the bargaining table to settle a fair contract.

·         Watch and share our special Valentine’s Day Flash Mob, telling the company “You’re Not the Space Needle I Used to Know!”

·         JOIN US at our next rally at the Space Needle – Tuesday, February 26th at 3:30pm!

Thank you for your support!

Space Needle Workers – We Are Family

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My name is Mohamed and I have been a banquet cook at the space needle for almost four years. I originally come from Morocco, which is a beautiful place full of life and culture with fresh foods and busy open air markets.

In my free time don’t be surprised to see me walking my dog through the city, enjoying the sun, when we have it, or cooking authentic Moroccan food. I like working for the Space Needle and having a union because having a stable job means that I can keep my freedom to continue to do these types of things.

I have always been the type of person who will stand up for the little guy. I like to protect and defend my family and now my co-workers are my family and they have stood up for me so I will have their backs too. The union has given me a voice and has shown me how to use it.

Mohamed, 4 years, Banquet Cook