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What do hotel workers and gay rights advocates have in common? Both groups are targeting the Hyatt Long Beach hotel this week for their connection to the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, whose owner helped bankroll the anti-marriage Proposition 8. Doug Manchester donated $125,000 to the help put the measure on last year’s ballot, which passed and invalidated a State supreme court decision that legalized same-sex marriage. Earlier this month hotel workers filed a lawsuit against the Long Beach Hyatt for failing to adequately compensate its employees for hours worked. The city of Long Beach has invested tens of millions of dollars into subsidies to this and other hotels, as we covered in February of this year on Uprising. Several Hyatt hotels have been targeted by workers in the past for anti-union treatment and labor violations. But now, workers are joining gay rights advocates in calling the Long Beach Hyatt to answer for its relationship to Doug Manchester.

GUESTS: Benjamin Cuison, Houseman at the Hyatt Long Beach and was part of a recent wage & hour class action lawsuit against the Hyatt LB, Rick Jacobs, Chair and founder in courage campaign

There will be a Press conference announcing the expansion of the ‘Hyatt Hypocrisy’ campaign to Long Beach Hyatt Hotel. Members of the coalition will participate in a ceremonial gay marriage ceremony, calling on Hyatt management with demands regarding marriage equality.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 13, 2009
TIME: 4:30pm picket line, 5:00pm program
WHERE: Long Beach Hyatt, 200 South Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802