Seo Runs From Workers

2006-04-28

Seo Runs From Workers

Monterey Bay Travelodge owner, Kilsoo Seo, literally ran away from his workers Friday, April 28.

Here's what happened.

The scheduled picket-line started at noon in front of his Travelodge. Seo took a look, got in his car, and drove off. UNITEHERE! Local 483 staff followed him.

He stopped at the Orient Express on Fremont in Seaside and ate with two guests.

Since he has refused to talk with his workers, the union brought 8 of them from the picket-line on their lunch breaks (or off work) to the restaurant to talk with him there. Two community members--a longshoreman and a university student--and three union staff were also part of the delegation.

The conversation went as follows:

Hector Azpilcueta (Local 483 organizer): Hi, Mr. Seo. Your workers would like to talk to you.

Kilsoo Seo: I don't want to talk to you.

Hector: Don't talk to me, talk to your workers.

Seo: I am eating. I don't want to talk.

Juana Enriquez (housekeeper): When would be a good time to talk then?

Seo: I don't want to talk without a lawyer.

Juana: So when will you talk to us?

Seo: Go away. Go away.

Guest of Seo's: Excuse me, we have something going on with him [Seo].

Hector: We have something going on with him, too.

Seo: I don't want to talk. Go away.

Hector: You don't need to talk, you can just listen to your workers.

Worker starts to speak, but Seo gets up from the table, leaving his guests with dropping jaws, walks out the restaurant to his car, and screeches away.

After the housekeepers had returned to work, Seo came back to the restaurant 15 minutes later, parked in the back, and entered through the back entrance.

Obviously, Seo hasn't been able to buy any courage with all that money.

Meanwhile, his workers scrape by on $8.84 per hour and no health insurance for 18 months.

Next picket-line: Wednesday, May 3rd at noon, 2030 North Fremont Street, Monterey.

UNITEHERE! Local 483

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