Workers say not enough has been fixed at hotel after high-profile campaign
BOSTON, MA—Hotel staff of the Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill Hotel will protest tonight in a continued effort to rid the hotel of health hazards. They will be joined by 400 supporters. MGH maintains an 8-bed sleep study in the hotel.
Workers will wear disposable suits that prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. These are an example of the kinds of supplies that should be given to workers to handle potentially infectious materials such as blood, vomit, feces, and needles.
OSHA opened an inspection of the hotel in May 2015. This week workers submitted further evidence to the agency supporting their allegations of hazardous working conditions related to bloody materials, needles, and other medical waste. Workers also allege lacking information about the waste they clean and dispose of from the MGH sleep study inside the hotel.
In July, the hotel hired a temporary agency to clean hotel rooms. Workers said they are concerned temporary staff are not given enough training and that the hotel is going in the wrong direction.
WHAT: Wyndham hotel employees to demonstrate in hazmat suits to illustrate hotel’s continued failure to keep workers safe
WHEN: Wednesday, September 9, 5:30pm
WHERE: Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill hotel, 5 Blossom St, Corner of Cambridge St and Blossom St. Across from MGH.
WHO: 500 people picketing and chanting including hotel workers in uniform, union members in t-shirts, and nurses in scrubs
VISUALS: hotel workers in biohazard gear including blood-spill gown, face covering, and blue gloves
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Harvard Hilton hotel workers win union contract
Employees of the Harvard-owned DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Boston joined Local 26 and ratified a first union contract in October. Workers first sought changes from hotel management and Harvard University, which owns the hotel, in 2013. The contract will bring up the workers up to the same standard as all unionized hotel workers in Boston and Cambridge, including wages of more than $19 an hour and affordable health care. Harvard students were heavily involved in picket lines and a boycott during the 2-year campaign.
Welcome to Local 26!
Harvard Club Staff Hold Picket Today
BOSTON, MA—Workers who cook, clean, and serve at the Harvard Club of Boston will picket tonight at the prestigious Club’s Commonwealth Ave location. The Harvard Club has unilaterally changed employees’ health benefit.
“Harvard Club is trying to force me to accept worse health care,” said 10-year employee Reina Serrano. “I’m pregnant with my first child and I’m terribly worried about what will happen to us if Harvard Club gets what they want.”
“Over the years we’ve learned that the Harvard community is thoughtful and compassionate,” said Brian Lang, President of UNITE HERE Local 26, which represents the workers at Harvard Club and at Harvard University.
“We are certain Harvard alumni and future Club members will not accept this mistreatment of the Club’s most valued asset, their employees.”
Employees began negotiating with the Club in June.
What: Employees of private club for Harvard and Ivy League alumni to picket
When: Thursday, October 15, 4:30 to 6:00 pm
Where: Harvard Club of Boston Back Bay, 374 Commonwealth Ave (at Mass Ave)
Who: 100 + Service workers of Harvard club and supporters
Visuals: Workers in server/waitress uniforms chanting, marching, and holding crimson Harvard-themed picket signs
For Immediate Release: October 15, 2015
Contact: Tiffany Ten Eyck, [email protected]
Local 26 endorses Tim McCarthy for Boston City Councilor for District 5
September 18th, 2015 – UNITE HERE Local 26 is pleased to announce its endorsement of Tim McCarthy for District 5 of the Boston City Council.
The endorsement is a milestone in a long-standing relationship between the working families of Mattapan, Hyde Park and Roslindale and District five Councilor Tim McCarthy.
“Long before he was Councilor, Tim McCarthy was making our city a better place” said Brian Lang, President of Local 26. “Whether it is in the Council chambers or on Fairmont Avenue, the working people of District Five trust and believe in Tim McCarthy’s vision.”
UNITE HERE Local 26 represents over 7200 workers in the Greater Boston area including most of the major Boston-area hotels, food service workers on college campuses, convention centers, Fenway Park, and Logan Airport. UNITE HERE Local 26 is one of the most politically powerful and diverse unions in Greater Boston.
For more information contact Jaimie McNeil, UNITE HERE Local 26 at (617) 832-6643 or [email protected]
Local 26 Announces Endorsement of McGovern & Simmons for Cambridge City Council
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 14, 2015
HOSPITALITY WORKERS UNION ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENT OF CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCILORS
Endorsement Marks Councilors’ Commitment to Workers’ Rights
September 14th, 2015 – UNITE HERE Local 26 is pleased to announce its endorsement of two Cambridge City Council candidates, incumbent Councilor Marc McGovern and incumbent Councilor Denise Simmons.
The two Councilors have a long history of supporting workers’ rights and ensuring that the City of Cambridge remains a place of opportunity for families to grow and thrive.
“As an organization that represents the diversity of Cambridge, this endorsement ensures that Cambridge’s working families have a voice in City Hall. Councilors Marc McGovern and Denise Simmons have a proven commitment to building strong communities,” said Brian Lang, President of Local 26.
UNITE HERE Local 26 represents over 7200 workers in the Greater Boston area including most of the major Boston-area hotels, food service workers on college campuses such as Harvard and Lesley University, convention centers, Fenway Park, and Logan Airport. UNITE HERE Local 26 is one of the most politically powerful and diverse unions in Greater Boston.
Contact: Jaimie McNeil, UNITE HERE Local 26
Cell Phone: 617-832-6643
Email: [email protected]
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Hotel workers in biohazard gear to protest Wyndham hotel with MGH facility
Workers say not enough has been fixed at hotel after high-profile campaign
BOSTON, MA—Hotel staff of the Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill Hotel will protest tonight in a continued effort to rid the hotel of health hazards. They will be joined by 400 supporters. MGH maintains an 8-bed sleep study in the hotel.
Workers will wear disposable suits that prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. These are an example of the kinds of supplies that should be given to workers to handle potentially infectious materials such as blood, vomit, feces, and needles.
OSHA opened an inspection of the hotel in May 2015. This week workers submitted further evidence to the agency supporting their allegations of hazardous working conditions related to bloody materials, needles, and other medical waste. Workers also allege lacking information about the waste they clean and dispose of from the MGH sleep study inside the hotel.
In July, the hotel hired a temporary agency to clean hotel rooms. Workers said they are concerned temporary staff are not given enough training and that the hotel is going in the wrong direction.
WHAT: Wyndham hotel employees to demonstrate in hazmat suits to illustrate hotel’s continued failure to keep workers safe
WHEN: Wednesday, September 9, 5:30pm
WHERE: Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill hotel, 5 Blossom St, Corner of Cambridge St and Blossom St. Across from MGH.
WHO: 500 people picketing and chanting including hotel workers in uniform, union members in t-shirts, and nurses in scrubs
VISUALS: hotel workers in biohazard gear including blood-spill gown, face covering, and blue gloves
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