Boycott revs up against hotel, where so far it’s ‘business as usual’

By Marc Levy
October 24, 2012

 

Le Méridien Hotel management said it’s feeling no impact from a boycott called by workers and city officials a little over a week ago, but a union official warns that it’s early yet.

Workers called Oct. 11 for a boycott of their own employer and appeared the next Monday before the City Council, where a ban on holding city events was affirmed unanimously by councillors. In addition to demanding such events as a biennial post-election celebration be moved from the 20 Sidney St. hotel, some also testified to putting a more personal stamp on their opposition to management’s practices, with vice mayor Denise Simmons saying she had stopped having tea at the hotel and councillor Tim Toomey saying he was telling people to take their business elsewhere.

Le Méridien Hotel Workers Plan Boycott of their own Employer

By Marc Levy
October 10, 2012

The Le Méridien Hotel faces a boycott call from its own workers amid accusations they “endure crushing workloads” after staff cutbacks and the owners have rejected calls to discuss unionization.

 

Local 26 Marches for Immigrants Rights

On Tuesday, May 15th, Local 26 members joined community, immigrants and faith-based organizations against unfair deportation and profiling of immigrants.  Click on the title above to see video footage WCVB and NECN

All is not fair in Boston hotels

By Lawrence Harmon, The Boston Globe

Both the Hilton Boston Downtown and the Omni Parker House are high-quality hotels popular with tourists and business travelers who want to be in the center of the city. You can trust that the beds at both hotels are top-notch. But there is a big pay gap when it comes to the room attendants who make those beds.

Northeastern University Food Service Workers Vote to Unionize

Northeastern University Food Service Workers

Vote to Unionize

Chartwells workers overwhelmingly vote YES to join Boston’s Local 26

BOSTON- In the largest campus food service unionization in recent history, 400 Northeastern University dining hall workers overwhelmingly voted in favor of joining Boston’s Local 26.

Rallying with hundreds of students, Chartwells workers spoke about injustice they faced in the dining halls and kitchens last month. The workers conveyed the urgent need for a union as harassment and unfair treatment have created a hostile work environment. Last night’s vote was 299 to 44 in favor of joining Boston’s Local 26.

“I wanted this union to end the mistreatment and injustice we all face while working here,” said Angela Bello “It has been a long fight and we faced pressure from our bosses not to unionize but we came together and demanded fairness. All we want is to be treated with respect.”

Boston’s Local 26 represents 6,000 hospitality industry workers in the greater Boston area. Members include workers at hotels, restaurants, university food services, Boston Convention Centers, Fenway Park, Logan International Airport, and other companies throughout the city.

“Our city and community thrive when the people who live and work here are appreciated and valued,” said Brian Lang, President of Boston’s Local 26. “Along with the thousands of workers in our union, the Chartwells workers and Northeastern University share our commitment to create dignity and respect at the workplace with secure, well-paid jobs.”

The workers were organized with the help of a student group, Huskies Organizing With Labor (HOWL), a broad coalition of 24 campus groups.  The students recently demanded that the University and Chartwells let the workers choose whether to unionize in an environment free of pressure and intimidation.

“The outpouring of support from Northeastern students, faculty, and community members helped encourage the workers to move forward,” said Lang. “As we work together in the future with Northeastern and our new union members, we will eliminate the abuse and disrespect that these men and women were subject to.”

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