Workers at Harvard-owned hotel win union, end boycott

Workers at the Harvard-owned DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in Allston announced Saturday that they have won a union.

Workers joined UNITE HERE Local 26, Boston’s hotel workers union, ending a more than 2-year public fight and boycott. During the course of their campaign housekeepers educated the public about the pain they experienced cleaning hotel rooms. Undergraduate and graduate students at Harvard launched a campus campaign to encourage Harvard to support the workers’ demands.

“It is inspiring to see that when workers and students come together, real change can be made,” said Harvard freshman Angela Leocata. “The DoubleTree workers winning a union proves the power of collective action and the promise of student-worker solidarity.”

The workers made national news in May when they appealed to Facebook COO and feminist Sheryl Sandberg. Sandberg declined an invitation to “lean in” with immigrant housekeepers.

More recently, housekeepers at the hotel held the first hotel workers’ strike in Boston in more than 100 years. On November 20, 2014, housekeeping staff struck the hotel and joined hundreds of students and supporters on Harvard’s campus where more than 3000 cards of support were signed and delivered to administration.

“Working while pregnant at the hotel was a difficult time for me,” said housekeeper Delmy Lemus. “I am joyful today.”

Ongoing picket lines, rallies, and leaflet actions on campus and at the hotel were a major part of the workers’ campaign and boycott. Already unionized hotel workers from Local 26 often joined them.

“Our members believe all workers deserve the standard that we’ve fought for,” said Boston hotel workers union President Brian Lang. “We will be relentless until all hotel and hospitality workers in Boston can work safely and can provide a better life for their families.”

With union recognition, workers will now sit down to bargain their first contract.

“It will be powerful to negotiate with management as partners and equals,” said housekeeper Sandra Hernandez.

Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill Hotel Workers Launch Fight for Respect, Fair Process

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On Friday April 10, 2015 workers at the Wyndham Boston hotel announced a public campaign to win respect and a fair process to decide on unionization. Workers presented management with a photo petition demonstrating the support of a majority of the workforce for a fair process.

Boston City Councilors Michael Flaherty and Josh Zakim and Rabbi Barbara Penzner accompanied workers in their meeting with management to support the workers’ effort. A representative of the Boston Archdiocese led workers in prayer.

“I am proud of the work I do at the hotel and I hope that they respect us and listen to us,” said houseman Juan Carlos Espinal.

“Workers at the Wyndham are on the frontlines of providing excellent service to travelers to Boston,” said Brian Lang, president of the Boston hotel workers union UNITE HERE Local 26. “They should be proud that they are taking leadership in ensuring pleasant hotel stays.”

Hilton Boston Back Bay Hotel Workers Launch Fight for Respect, Fair Process

Respect-petitionlanguage-only-1000On Monday March 30, 2015 workers at the Hilton Boston Back Bay hotel announced a public campaign to win respect and a fair process to decide on unionization. Workers presented management with a photo petition demonstrating the support of a supermajority of the workforce.

Workers were led by a number of elected city leaders and clergy including Boston City Councilor At Large Ayanna Pressley, Boston City Councilor of the 8th district Josh Zakim, a representative of the Archdiocese of Boston, Rabbi Barbara Penzner, and more. Clergy and leaders of faith led the workers in an interfaith prayer vigil.

Workers at the hotel have complained about heavy workloads and experiences of pain that impact their lives.

“When I get home from work I am sick with pain. I have pain in my arms, my back, and my legs,” said Maryluz Perez, a housekeeper at the hotel. “Because of the pain I can’t spend time with my daughter like I want.”

“I commend the workers at the Hilton Boston Back Bay for the bravery they are showing today,” said Brian Lang, president of the Boston hotel workers union UNITE HERE Local 26. “It is inspiring to see Boston hotel workers fighting for the respect they deserve.”

Later in the evening hotel workers from UNITE HERE Local 26 showed their support for the Hilton Back Bay hotel workers with an informational picket of the hotel.