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For Immediate Release
September 1, 2004
Leonard O’Neill, (831) 375-2246
831 595-2499

Union Honors Travelodge Housekeepers As Working Heroes For Labor Day 2004
Protests At Fairgrounds Travelodge Enter 2nd Month

Seaside, CA. The close-knit 13-person housekeeping unit at the Monterey Bay Travelodge has been recognized by UNITE HERE Local 483 as Monterey Bay area Working Heroes for Labor Day 2004. Francisca Aquino, Juliana Cruz Garcia, Aurora Enriquez, Juana Enriquez, Cristina Florian, Erna Garcia, Genoveva Gonzalez, Jose Guzman, Antonia Jara, Rosario Lopez, Sandra Melendez, Eva Moreno, and Florelia Nunez will be honored for helping to improve the lives of working people and their families on the Monterey Bay at the Union’s Rally for Travelodge Workers on Thursday, September 2, from noon to 1 p.m. in front of the hotel at 2030 North Fremont in Monterey.

The Travelodge housekeeping committee members have been active participants in the Monterey Peninsula community and in their union, volunteering time to improve conditions at the workplace and standing up for all working people. This group of workers earned a reputation for solidarity and tenacity in supporting other workers involved in disputes over the past year, including the Southern California grocery workers and other Monterey Bay area hotel workers, in recent conflicts over contract negotiations. At the end of July, the Travelodge employees themselves began public protests over their own contract, after the owner proposed to eliminate employee health and pension plans, as well as freeze wages at $8.84 per hour.

“We’re so proud to honor this incredible committee of workers at the Travelodge. They have epitomized union solidarity and helped to make our community a better one for all working people,” said UNITE HERE Local 483 Secretary-Treasurer, Leonard O’Neill. “This is our third year of honoring working heroes, like the Travelodge committee, who work through unions to make sure America is as strong and democratic as it can be.”

As with all of the Travelodge workers, the past two Local 483 Working Hero Award winners were Seaside residents. James Ford, who was a baker at the Pebble Beach Lodge, won the award in 2002, and last year’s winner was Maricela Alaniz from the Carmel Highlands Inn housekeeping department.

While Mr. Ford and Ms. Alaniz had been honored at the Union’s indoor membership meetings, this time the presentation will be outdoors at a loud rally in front of the Travelodge, where the workers and community supporters are beginning their second month of protesting the owner’s contract offer. “There is no better way to be honored by our sisters and brothers in the Union than with a rally for us at the Travelodge,” says Juana Enriquez, chief union shop steward at the Monterey Bay Travelodge.

Media Visuals: Marchers with colorful picket signs and slogans by large “Travelodge” sign, hotel workers in uniform, large union banner, speakers and presentation of award certificates toward end of rally.

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