[CIMC-work] Press Release: Labor Day CD at Congress Hotel

[Garth Liebhaber]

hey folks, I'm going to shoot this.  looks like a good feature as well- does 
anyone want to write for this?
g.

NEWS ADVISORY
August 27, 2003
For Immediate Release

Congress Strikers Plan Historic
Civil Disobedience Action for Labor Day

WHAT: Non-violent civil disobedience action at the Congress Hotel

WHO:	Studs Terkel; Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon; HERE 
Local 1 President Henry Tamarin; SEIU Local 1 President Tom Balanoff; UNITE 
Vice-President Lynn Talbot; Congress strikers

WHERE:	Congress Hotel, 520 S. Michigan Ave.

DATE:	Monday, September 1

TIME: 10:30 a.m.

In what may be the first civil disobedience action by organized labor in 
Chicago since the 1930’s, Chicago labor leaders are planning a civil 
disobedience protest at the Congress Hotel for Labor Day. Strikers, other 
union members, prominent labor leaders will sit down in front of the 
Congress Hotel to highlight the struggle of the Congress strikers for 
justice. Studs Terkel, the eminent Chicago author and historian, will be 
present and offer remarks setting the historical context for the event.

In the first hotel strike in Chicago history, Congress Hotel workers walked 
out on June 15 after management implemented a final contract offer that 
includes a 7% wage cut, unlimited right to subcontract and no raise for four 
years.

This weekend’s civil disobedience action marks the one-year anniversary of 
the historic contract settlement that gave workers at Chicago’s other union 
hotels a 54% increase in wages and benefits over the life of the contract.  
While housekeepers in most Chicago hotels now earn $10.00 per hour, the 
Congress Hotel cut workers’ wages to $8.21.


Contact: Clare Fauke, 312-663-4373 x247; or cell 312-802-2302, or
Jo Marie Agriesti, 312-663-4373 x240; or cell 312-656-4633
Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees Union (HERE) Local 1

Visit the website: www.congresshotelstrike.info

# # #

--

Lars Negstad
HERE Local 1
55 W. Van Buren
Chicago IL 60605
Tel. 312-663-4373, ext. 243
Fax 312-986-3828
www.congresshotelstrike.info

_________________________________________________________________
Help protect your PC: Get a free online virus scan at McAfee.com. 
http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963