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GUEST: Sandra Habr-Valle, Research Analyst with Unite HERE Local 11, Jeffrey Agerkop, Hotel Operation at Wilshire Plaza

Last Friday, Wilshire Plaza Hotel workers won an important victory less than two days after declaring a strike. The labor dispute centered on allegations that workers were unfairly retaliated against for their testimony before a National Labor Relations Board hearing. One worker, Lester Salazar, had his hours reduced from thirty to twelve. Another worker who was subpoenaed to participate in the federal government hearing had her work responsibilities unfairly increased. Laundry services were discontinued for hotel cooks and the quality and quantity of food provided to workers decreased. As a result of the successful strike, the owner of the Wilshire Plaza Hotel and management agreed to reverse their retaliatory impositions. With the victory in hand, workers continue to struggle on for a new union contract as their outstanding boycott of the hotel remains in place. Wilshire Plaza Hotel workers have been working without a union contract since December 2006.

For more information, visit www.hotelworkersrising.org.

The hotel owner, Leo Lee, and the new General Manager, Mr. Titizian, can be reached at 213-381-7411.