Boston Globe: Hospitality Union Recruits African-American Workers

The training program is the central component of an effort by Unite Here Local 26, the hospitality workers’ union, to reach out to the African-American community to fill jobs that offer good wages and benefits. The initiative aims to expand the diversity of hotel workforces, increasingly dominated by immigrants, and meet the growing demand in the industry for employees who are fluent in English. Local 26 is taking a progressive approach to dealing with the economic disparities facing African-Americans, said Tito Jackson, a Boston councilor who used his connections with the black community to recruit trainees for the program.

“There is a very long history of African-American workers in that industry, but as of late we have seen a lot less,” he said. “This program is a workforce development and job-preparedness program that really gives people the skills, the confidence, as well as the opportunity to open the doors of jobs where they can take care of their family.”

 

More Boston College Cafeteria Workers Join Boston’s Local 26

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After organizing to join UNITE HERE Local 26, Food service workers at 3 Boston-area universities unanimously ratified their first Union contract. 100 workers in the dining halls at Wentworth Institute of Technology, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy (Colleges of Fenway) who are employed by Chartwells will receive substantial pay increases, lower-cost heath benefits, and numerous improvements to working conditions.

Workers went to management at the start of the academic year in 2013 with majority support for the Union and demanded recognition of their union. Colleges of Fenway cafeterias are next door to Northeastern University–whose 400 cafeteria workers joined Local 26 in 2012–and Simmons College, whose workers won their contract this year. Workers at Wheelock College are currently negotiating their first contract with Sodexo.

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It was the workers at Simmons College that first shared the idea of the union to workers at Colleges of Fenway. Workers at all the Fenway-area schools often take the T together and talk about work. Sometimes, they live in the same neighborhoods.

“We work so hard for our students, but we were really suffering,” said Stella Cosby, a cook at Simmons College. “We were so proud when we won the Union and even prouder when we got our first contract and raises. We knew it couldn’t stop with us.”

It didn’t. Cosby and other co-workers began reaching out to workers in the area. It wasn’t easy in a time when unions are often misunderstood. It helped that Cosby and crew were able to speak from experience—they’d done it first.

“We explained that we think we deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and to have better working conditions, and that we could have that through a union,” explained Cosby.

“I have been a cook at Wentworth Institute of Technology for more than 20 years, “ said Thertilo Blanc. “I am so glad that we now have a contract that provides consistent wage increases, vacation and sick days, better benefits, and a grievance procedure. We have a voice.”

Colleges of the Fenway Workers Ratify New Union Contract

Colleges of the Fenway Workers Ratify New Union Contract

Edith “Tiny” Figueroa, a barista at Simmons College, was on hand when Colleges of the Fenway workers cast ballots to vote in their new contract.

“I really believe that we can raise the standard for food service workers across Boston and Massachusetts. We serve food at some of the nation’s best schools. We deserve better,” she said.
UNITE HERE Boston’s Local 26 represents 7,000 workers in hotels, campus cafeterias, convention centers, Fenway Park and Logan Airport.

Boston’s Local 26 Endorses Tolman and Goldberg

Hotel Workers Endorse Tolman and Goldberg

Boston’s Local 26 Endorses Warren Tolman for Attorney General and Deb Goldberg for Treasurer

BOSTON – UNITE HERE Local 26, one of the most politically powerful and diverse unions in Boston, today announced its official endorsement of Warren Tolman for Attorney General and Deb Goldberg for Treasurer. Local 26 is unique among unions due to its diverse makeup and the predominance of women in the union.

“Warren Tolman and Deb Goldberg are champions of hardworking families in Massachusetts,” said Brian Lang, President of Local 26. “The members of Local 26 are proud to endorse them because we know that they will represent everyone in our state.”

 

Post by UNITE HERE Local 26.

“Warren Tolman has fought to increase the minimum wage and ensure that part-time and temporary workers receive fair pay and benefits,” said Local 26 member and East Boston resident Alba Galeano. “We’re supporting him for Attorney General because he stands with us on what’s most important: support for immigrants, cost-effective healthcare, and income inequality.”

“It’s a great honor to receive the support of UNITE HERE Local 26, leaders in the fight to bridge the pay gap, control the cost of health care, and achieve comprehensive immigration reform,” said Warren Tolman. “I am proud to stand with them to protect and improve the lives of working families as I fight to implement smart gun technology to protect our communities from gun violence.”

 

Post by UNITE HERE Local 26.

“Deb Goldberg has created good paying union jobs for generations of workers,” said Local 26 member and Revere resident Nelson Rodriguez. “As Treasurer, she’ll stand up for working families who need economic security.”

“I am so honored to receive the endorsement of UNITE HERE Local 26 in my campaign for Treasurer,” said Deb Goldberg. “Members of Local 26 play an integral role in the success of the hospitality industry. Local 26 knows that our next Treasurer must be a champion for working families. I look forward to working with them in January as the next Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

Local 26 represents thousands of workers in the hospitality industries in New England. Members include workers of hotels, restaurants, university dining services, the Boston Convention Centers, Fenway Park and Logan International Airport. More information at www.local26.org.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Steve Crawford, Crawford Strategies
(857) 753-4132
[email protected]

August 7, 2014

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Local 26 Supports the Trust Act

The following is testimony from Local 26 Secretary Treasurer Henry Green given at a Boston City Council hearing on the Trust Act. The Trust Act would limit the Boston Police Department’s ability to detain immigrants for ICE.

Hello my name is Henry Green. I live on Gallivan Blvd in Dorchester and I am the Secretary – Treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 26.

I am here to urge City Council to pass the Trust Act but first to amend it to only hold people with open criminal warrants.

Immigrant rights are civil rights and Boston needs to join the growing national movement of cities, counties and states across the country that are refusing to unconstitutionally detain individuals without criminal warrants. The members of Local 26 are overwhelmingly Boston residents and overwhelmingly immigrants. They work hard to ensure that Boston runs smoothly. They are ambassadors for the city, greeting visitors in our hotels, welcoming them to Boston and making sure their stays are smooth and enjoyable. Our members pay taxes in the City, they are productive citizens and as a result of earning decent wages our members help ensure the economies of Boston’s neighborhoods are strengthened. They support local businesses and are active in their communities. Yet some of our members are undocumented and some of their family members are undocumented. All are trying to gain documentation, but while they wait through the gridlock in DC, they have to live in fear in Boston.

Please support strengthening Boston’s communities and the workers who help make Boston strong. Please support passage of the Trust Act with amendments to only hold people with open criminal warrants. Thank you for taking the time to hear my testimony today.

Post by UNITE HERE Local 26.
D. Taylor

Seven Things You Should Know About Our International President

D. Taylor, president of the hospitality workers’ union Unite Here, was in Boston recently for the organization’s convention, held every five years. While he was here, Taylor, 57, participated in a picket line in front of the Hilton DoubleTree Suites on the Charles River and talked to reporter Katie Johnston about the role of unions in today’s economy.