Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
Wed Oct 1, 2014, 05:14 AM Oct 2014

Hyatt to pay ousted workers $1m in boycott-ending deal

Hyatt Hotels Corp. has agreed to pay $1 million to 98 Boston-area housekeepers who were fired five years ago and replaced by lower-paid, outsourced workers, at the time triggering a backlash that drew national attention — and a stern scolding from Governor Deval Patrick.

The settlement, to be announced Friday, could give some workers as much as $40,000, depending on their years of service.

In exchange, the hospitality workers’ union that brokered the deal will call off its five-year boycott at the three full-service Hyatts in the area. The union estimates the boycott cost the hotel chain about $6 million.

“There are plenty of companies that make token gestures, and this is not token,” said Brian Lang, president of the hospitality union, Unite Here Local 26. “This is very significant.”

http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/09/25/hyatt-give-fired-housekeepers-million/AfRd71FRhVVfRjIKAMxMzK/story.html

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Hyatt to pay ousted workers $1m in boycott-ending deal (Original Post) Sherman A1 Oct 2014 OP
Great news. Takeaway #1: boycotts WORK. merrily Oct 2014 #1
+1 Crewleader Oct 2014 #2
Thanks! merrily Oct 2014 #3

merrily

(45,251 posts)
1. Great news. Takeaway #1: boycotts WORK.
Wed Oct 1, 2014, 05:34 AM
Oct 2014

Takeaway #2: Unions are essential for many reasons.

Everyone knows that unions fought, and still do, for safe working conditions in mines, factories, etc. That fight gave us things like OSHA. Some of us this might never have been born but for that fight, because our ancestor might have died unnecessarily because of an unsafe workplace.

And everyone knows that unions fought for a living wage. Some us or our ancestors might have had to quit school at 16 to help parents put food on the table, but for unions.

And so on. You get the picture. But, unions are always ways for us to spread the word.

The right spreads the word for its activism through organizations like churches, youth groups, Scouting, etc.

We used to spread the word through unions, as is done in Europe. But, then, we allowed union busting laws and actions.

Please, please support unions so they can support us.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
3. Thanks!
Fri Oct 3, 2014, 06:53 AM
Oct 2014

My entire family, parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, would have slit their wrists before crossing a picket line. We're getting stoooopid about unions now. Look at the South, which used to be known as the home of the "runaway shop." Look what "right to work" laws got them. Poverty.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Massachusetts»Hyatt to pay ousted worke...