UNITE HERE Local 1

NEWS ADVISORY for June 12, 2008
For questions please contact Annemarie Strassel, Communications Coordinator at (312) 617-0495

Citywide rally honors
Congress Hotel Strike 5-Year Anniversary
With Congress Hotel still paying “2002” wages,
workers in longest active strike in nation march on for equality

WHAT: Rally to honor 5-Year Anniversary of Congress Hotel Strike.

WHO: Strikers from the Congress Hotel joined by hundreds of members of UNITE HERE Local 1, the union of hotel and food service workers in Chicago, and community supporters. Speakers to include: John Wilhelm, President of UNITE HERE, Henry Tamarin, President of UNITE HERE Local 1, and Dennis Gannon, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor. Others TBA.

WHERE: In front of the Congress Hotel – Congress & Michigan Ave.

WHEN: Thursday, June 12, 2008, 4:00-6:00p.m.
Sunday, June 15, 2008 (Father’s Day): Actual strike anniversary

WHY: On June 15, 2003, members of UNITE HERE Local 1 working at the Congress Hotel went out on strike after the hotel decided to freeze wages and slash benefits. Workers there have braved five cold Chicago winters on the picket line to ensure that hotel jobs in this city are strong, family-sustaining jobs.

Now the longest active strike in the nation, their historic stand is a testament to how far hotel workers in Chicago have come. Today, Chicago housekeepers earn $13.90 an hour, while the Congress Hotel still pays $2002 wages – just $8.83 an hour. Working families in Chicago have made astounding gains in recent years because the Congress strikers have refused to settle for substandard wages.

Now members of the Chicago community are coming together to see that all area hotel workers, including those at the Congress Hotel, are treated equally and have access to the new Chicago standard for wages and benefits.

VISUALS: Hundreds of people on Michigan Ave. sidewalk, streets; UNITE HERE red shirts and signs; giant rat.

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