Demonstrations planned in San Francisco, Santa Clara and 20 cities across US Local and national organizations issue online call to “Vote Hyatt Worst”
On July 23, Hyatt workers launched a global boycott of Hyatt hotels in response to the hotel company’s extensive abuse of their workers. The NFL Players Association, the AFL-CIO, the National Organization for Women (NOW), the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce, and other community organizations joined Hyatt housekeepers in Washington D.C. to express their support for the global boycott.
This week, hundreds of San Francisco and Santa Clara hotel workers will take to the streets as part of a week of demonstrations at Hyatt Hotels in 20 US cities.
What: Rallies marking the global boycott of Hyatt Hotels for extensive worker abuse
Who: Hundreds of San Francisco and Santa Clara Hyatt workers, students, clergy, community organizations, union members, and more.
San Francisco; Thursday, July 26 at 4:30 PM; Grand Hyatt Union Square, 345 Stockton Street
Santa Clara; Saturday, July 28 at 4:30 PM; Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, 5101 Great America Parkway
Why: The global boycott marks the largest escalation to date in an ongoing campaign for basic workers’ rights. Hyatt has singled itself out as the worst employer in the hotel industry by abusing its housekeepers and other hotel workers, replacing longtime employees with minimum wage temporary workers, and imposing dangerous and health-threatening workloads on those who remain. The global boycott has been endorsed by the IUF–the global federation of trade unions–and virtually every union representing hotel workers worldwide.
In conjunction with the global boycott launch, hundreds of organizations and individuals are issuing a call to action to their members and supporters encouraging them to go online and “Vote Hyatt the Worst Hotel Employer in America.” Participants in the social media action include Tom Morello of the band Rage Against the Machine, the California Democratic Party, the Courage Campaign, MoveOn.org, the National Women’s Health Network, and many more.
For more information about the boycott and abuses by Hyatt Hotels, visit www.HyattHurts.org, Twitter @hyatthurtsus and Facebook at www.facebook.com/hyatthurts.
Quotes from supporters of the Global Boycott of Hyatt Hotels, for attribution.
“Hyatt workers are leading a fight in this country to restore good middle class jobs to the American economy, and the members of the AFL-CIO stand shoulder to shoulder with them in this crucial struggle. On behalf of the 12.5 million union workers who are members of the AFL-CIO, we endorse the global Hyatt boycott and call all American workers to stand with Hyatt workers until they get justice.” — Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO
“Many football players were raised by hardworking men and women who punch time cards just like the hotel workers at Hyatt. This is why we decided to get in the game and support Hyatt housekeepers who suffer abuse and debilitating injuries at work. As an organization, we will not spend our money at Hyatt. Instead, we will partner with hotels who respect workers and working families. Letters will go out to every player in the National Football League, urging them to stay at those hotels who not only have current relationships with us, but at those that believe in what is right
and fair. Until Hyatt changes its practices, we will stay somewhere else.” — DeMaurice Smith, Executive Director of the NFL Players Association
“The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has long stood with labor, and we do so again today, this time in support of the hard-working housekeepers who have called for a global boycott of Hyatt in response to the company’s low wages and abuse of workers. We stand here because all people deserve the right to find and keep a job in a safe work environment, with a living wage. We stand here because we are workers too. And, as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people – particularly those of color – we are acutely aware of what it means to be economically vulnerable. Every day, many of us fear that we may lose or be denied a job simply because of who we are or who we love, due to a lack of federal LGBT employment protections. Any abuse and discrimination of workers should never be tolerated, which is why we are here today.” — Darlene Nipper, Deputy Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
“The National Organization for Women stands in solidarity with Hyatt housekeepers in their campaign for economic justice and safe working conditions. As long as Hyatt continues to abuse its housekeepers and undermine its workers’ economic security, we will fight for their rights and their dignity.” — Terry O’Neill, President of the National Organization of Women (NOW)
“Every day Hyatt housekeepers – nearly all of whom are women and the majority are women of color and immigrant women – are exposed to unnecessary health and safety risks. Fortunately however, housekeepers are organizing to demand safer jobs. I ask you to stand with women housekeepers and pledge to steer clear of Hyatt Hotels.” — Cynthia Pearson, Executive Director of the National Women’s Health Network
“We are proud to unite in the fight for equality both in and outside of the workplace by joining the global boycott of Hyatt. Our members in more than 80 chapters across the United States respect the historic relationship between a strong Labor movement and achieving LGBT civil rights and will not be silent about Hyatt’s attack on workers. We commit to speaking out and mobilizing our thousands of members to boycott Hyatt until housekeepers are treated with respect.” — Jerame Davis, Executive Director of National Stonewall Democrats
“Hyatt has repeatedly disrespected women workers, from the 100 housekeepers that it fired in Boston to the company’s refusal to implement OSHA’s safety recommendations. The Feminist Majority Foundation is proud to support Hyatt workers by staying out of Hyatt hotels and calling for other women to do the same.” — Kim Gandy, Vice President of the Feminist Majority Foundation
“Pride at Work stands in solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender Hyatt workers who are courageously speaking out and demanding respect. Hyatt claims they are a friend to the LGBT community, but we know better. Abusing workers is not a commitment to true equality. Our members are taking action to exposing Hyatt’s hypocrisy to the LGBT community and encourage all who believe in full equality to boycott Hyatt!” — Peggy Shorey, Executive Director, Pride at Work
“The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. NBJC stands in solidarity with LGBT Hyatt workers who are fighting for fair and equal treatment in order to provide for themselves and their families.” — National Black Justice Coalition.
“Netroots Nation is proud to stand with working people and safe work environments by boycotting Hyatt hotels that lack union representation. It’s long past time that Hyatt treat their housekeepers with respect and dignity, and it’s time for this lack of respect to stop. We encourage all people to stand with working people and vote Hyatt the Worst Hotel Employer in America” — Nolan Treadway, Political Director of Netroots Nation
