October 22, 2010
National Communication Association
NCA 96th Annual Convention, November 14-17 2010, Hilton Union Square
The National Communication Association is non-profit group dedicated to “the application of competent communication to improve the quality of human life and relationships.” So what kind of message do NCA’s communication experts think they are sending when they write a check for hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Hilton Union Square? It seems to us like they’re more interested in improving the quality of life of Blackstone Group chairman Stephan Schwarzman (current net worth about $7.8 billion) than they are in helping the 850 Hilton Union Square workers to achieve a fair and just contract.
Many NCA members are displeased with the NCA leadership’s decision to side with Hilton and Blackstone against working families in San Francisco. Members circulated a petition expressing their decision to honor the worker-called boycott:
“As NCA members, we have every desire to attend our annual conference. However, without a resolution to the current dispute, we cannot and will not enter the Hilton and, therefore, will not be registering for this year’s convention. While we wish it could be othderwise, we simply refuse to compromise what we see as our ethical commitments as citizens to promote equitable workplace policies. Furthermore, as scholars and practitioners of human communication, we believe participation in justice-oriented public discourse is a precondition of good disciplinary citizenship.”
Many meeting attendees are also planning on hosting their sessions at alternative sites.
This is the second time in recent years that the NCA has violated a UNITE HERE boycott. In 2008, they held their convention at the Manchester Hyatt, a boycotted hotel owned by the notorious Doug Manchester, who donated huge amounts of money to Yes on Prop 8, the initiative constitutional amendment that banned same-sex marriage in California.
Money talks. And the NCA’s money is saying the wrong thing.
Are you a member of NCA?
Join the Facebook group to connect with other members who will be honoring the boycott.
permalink // tags: Hotel Customers, Hyatt, Repeat Offenders
