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For Immediate Release
July 29, 2004
Julius de Vera, (831) 375-2246
(831) 229-2449

Hotel Workers Rally For Justice
Oppose Elimination Of Health Insurance At Monterey Travelodge Fairgrounds

“Eliminating our health insurance—he is trying to destroy us!” exclaims Travelodge Fairgrounds employee, Juana Enriquez, referring to the last contract offer from the motel’s owner, Kilsoo Seo. Ms. Enriquez, a housekeeper at the Travelodge for thirteen years, fears that she and her eleven co-workers will not be able to make ends meet under the terms of Mr. Seo’s proposal. “We are struggling as it is, but to lose our [health] insurance and pension—that will kill us.”

Dozens of hotel workers from UNITE HERE Local 483 will rally in support of the Monterey Travelodge Fairgrounds employees today, Thursday, July 29, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in front of the motel at 2030 North Fremont in Monterey. The workers will be joined by community supporters.

UNITE HERE Local 483 President, Julius de Vera, explains: “Our entire union of 1,600 members is behind these twelve hard-working Travelodge Fairgrounds employees. All the union hotels on the Monterey Bay have settled strong contracts that preserved health insurance and raised wages and pensions except for the Travelodge. This rally is about health care; it’s about fairness; and it’s about the fact that Local 483 and our friends on the Monterey Bay will never give up the fight for hotel workers—will never give up the fight for these twelve Travelodge workers.”

In the last two years, fifteen Monterey Bay hotels have reached new contract agreements with UNITE HERE Local 483, including, the Hyatt Regency, Pebble Beach Lodge, Quail Lodge, Coast Santa Cruz Hotel, and most recently, the Asilomar Conference Center. These unionized hotels have agreed to new contribution rates in the Culinary Insurance Fund, which covers the unionized hotel employees without employee co-payments. Travelodge owner, Mr. Seo from Bethel, Alaska, has thus far refused to participate fully in the health insurance fund at the new rates, and has proposed ending all of his contributions to the fund. Mr. Seo has also called for the elimination of Travelodge contributions to the employee pension fund and for a freeze on wages.

Sergio Vasquez, a maintenance worker at Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley and Local 483 member, observes: “I can’t believe the Travelodge wants to end the health insurance program for its workers. My wife and I had a baby just two years ago. We couldn’t afford to have her—to make our family--without insurance.” Mr. Vasquez adds, “The Travelodge workers work just as hard as we do. They deserve our support, and they will get it. This is one union, one fight.”

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