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For Immediate Release
September 30, 2004
Leonard O’Neill, (831) 375-2246
(831) 595-2499

Protest For Hotel Workers’ Rights
Community to Rally behind Striking San Francisco Hotel Workers and Local Travelodge Workers

When hundreds of San Francisco hotel workers went on strike yesterday at four busy hotels, the echoes of conflict were heard loud and clear on the Monterey Peninsula. “We know just what they are going through,” says Monterey Bay Travelodge housekeeper, Juana Enriquez, “The hotel companies are trying to squeeze more out of us. But they are doing fine, and we are struggling just to get by. We have to fight this together—all over the country.”

The local union representing hotel workers, UNITE HERE Local 483, is planning a demonstration today with Ms. Enriquez’s message of solidarity in mind. Dozens of hotel workers from Local 483 will rally for a Fair Deal for Hotel Workers today, Thursday, September 30, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in front of the Monterey Bay Travelodge at 2030 North Fremont in Monterey. The workers will be joined by community supporters. This protest rally follows 9 demonstrations at the hotel in the past 2 months, involving over 500 people.

Nationally, strike authorization votes have passed overwhelmingly by UNITE HERE hotel workers in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. Their major concerns have been insufficient wages, increased workloads since 9-11, and the scaling back of health benefits. The health insurance issue has been at the center of the controversy locally at the Monterey Bay Travelodge, where the owner has announced plans to eliminate employee and family health insurance entirely on October 1.

Leonard O’Neill, UNITE HERE Local 483 Secretary-Treasurer, comments, “The hotel owners are making money back at pre-9-11 levels, which makes these attacks on their employees even more outrageous. The Travelodge owner just bought a million dollar house in Seaside, but claims he can’t afford to continue his employees health insurance.”

The Monterey Bay Travelodge owner, Kilsoo Seo, purchased a home in the Seaside Highlands development for $982,500, according to property records filed in Monterey County on August 27, 2004.

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

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