CHICAGO— Chicago hotel workers turned out in force on Aug. 23, 2002 to march up the Windy City’s famous “Magnificent Mile” in order to show their unity and determination in getting better pay and health benefits. Approximately 4,000 to 5,000 workers and their families, along with some support from the teachers’, auto workers’ and service workers’ unions, showed up for the march Aug. 23 at 5 p.m., according to Lars Negstad, Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees (HERE) Local 1 spokesman. Carrying approximately 1,000 signs reading “No Contract, No Peace,” as well as banners, makeshift drums and noisemakers, workers chanted along the length of the Magnificent Mile, past some of their own hotels, and some other non-union hotels. Negstad told HOTEL BUSINESS® that HERE Local 1 organizers were “expecting more than 1,000 workers to show up,” on Aug. 23 before the march began. However, after speaking with Negstad on the morning of Aug. 26, he noted that, “This turnout exceeded our wildest dreams. It was exciting. The energy was amazing. It was the first time many of the workers have been in a march. Workers from each hotel had banners. We had about 1,000 picket signs, and about 10 people with bullhorns leading chants. “You could tell the workers could sense their own power when they act collectively,” added Negstad. “The march sends a very strong signal about our ability to get together.” It was obvious Negstad was pleased with the march, but as to what the Hotel Employers Labor Relations Association (HELRA) thought about the march, it was unknown at presstime. Phone calls to Arnold Karr, COO of HELRA, were not immediately returned. However, HOTEL BUSINESS® was able to catch a few minutes with Karr on Aug. 23, prior to the march, to ask him his thoughts on the progress of contract negotiations. While he was optimistic about reaching an agreement with HERE Local 1 before the Aug. 31 midnight deadline, he was decidedly mum on the specifics. “We all agreed on a moratorium on speaking about anything connected to the negotiations,” said Karr. When asked if strike contingency plans that included temp workers were in place at 24 of the 29 hotels HELRA is representing— including the Drake Hotel, the Palmer House Hilton, Sheraton Chicago, W Chicago Lake Shore Drive and the Hyatt Regency Chicago— Karr said that plans were in place, but that HELRA “wasn’t asked to review them,” so he couldn’t say what those plans might include. When HOTEL BUSINESS® asked Negstad to comment on the progress of the negotiations, he was less optimistic than Karr, stating, “There’s been very little progress.” According to Negstad, it wasn’t until Aug. 21 that HELRA was able to present a uniform proposal. “We had two days of negotiations, [Aug. 14 and 15], and they, [HELRA], canceled negotiations Friday, [Aug. 16]. They requested a cancellation to have an opportunity to meet and caucus… It appeared that they did not have all their ducks in a row,” claimed Negstad. Talks resumed Aug. 21 and Aug. 22, and Negstad’s only comments on HELRA’s proposal were that it “was not acceptable,” and that “we still have a way to go.” He also referred to the agreement by both parties to remain silent on the specifics of the talks. “We’re not commenting further until a settlement is reached or we’ve reached the deadline,” said Negstad. In the meantime, Negstad said that talks with HELRA are resuming Aug. 27, and going through till the deadline Aug. 31. He said strike preparations have kicked into high gear, following the march Aug. 23, and another similar, yet larger event is being planned with a tentative date of Sept. 17, if a strike comes to pass. Negstad further indicated that HERE Local 450 is now involved in the talks, as that union’s contract is also up at midnight Aug. 31. Four out of the five hotels HERE Local 450 covers— the Hilton O’Hare, Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Ramada O’Hare and Hyatt Oakbrook— are being represented by HELRA, and could also be struck if no agr
HERE marches on Chicago