Rain Does Not Deter Supporters of Woodfin Hotel Workers!
Resisting the pouring rain, nearly 200 supporters linked arms and formed a circle around the brave workers of the Woodfin Hotel in Emeryville on November 13 to show their solidarity with the hotel workers whose jobs have been frequently under threat of being lost. Members of Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice asked the workers to look around at the circle of people gathered there to support them. Emeryville City Councilmember John Fricke gave a clear message to the workers, saying that no matter how long this goes on, “We’ll be here!” Many of the workers at the Woodfin Suites have been working there for years, but recently has the hotel threatened to fire them because of alleged problems with their social security numbers. The workers, who are largely immigrant women, have been organizing around the enforcement of Measure C, a living wage law passed in Emeryville a year ago.
Picketing through puddles, the crowd sent a message to the Woodfin Hotel that discrimination against immigrant workers will not be tolerated. Because of continued community support, the Woodfin has not yet fired the workers. On November 30th, a California judge ordered the Woodfin to give the workers two weeks notice of termination, allowing them time to file for an injunction to stop the firings. On December 5th, after hearing from 12 Woodfin workers, the Emeryville City Council agreed to send a letter to the hotel urging them not to fire the workers until a hearing on their complaints to the City can be set up.
ACTION ALERTS:
Send a letter to Woodfin CEO Samuel Hardage
For more information, visit East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy.
