November 18, 2010

Hotel workers and volunteers bullhorned and passed out leaflets at the Westin St. Francis today as the African Studies Association began its Annual Meeting at the boycotted hotel.  The ASA was informed of the boycott 10 months ago, and paid lip service to social justice values, but in the end, the leadership chose to write a check for hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Starwood Corporation, which manages the hotel.

Starwood has seen its revenue rise to $1.3 billion this year and the Westin St. Francis’s earnings have risen 21.8% to $13 million so far this year, but the corporation is still refusing to sign a fair contract with its workers.  Starwood wants to make housekeepers and bellmen and other workers who make around $30,000 a year pay hundreds of dollars a month more for health insurance.

Many ASA attendees refused to stay in the boycotted hotel.  If you support the workers’ struggle for a fair contract and are honoring the boycott of the Westin St. Francis, join us for a picket line at the hotel tomorrow, Friday, November 19th, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM.

permalink // tags: Actions, Hotel Customers, Starwood, Westin St. Francis