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Santa Cruz Dream Inn Workers Go on Strike

by Alex Darocy (alex [at] alexdarocy.com)
Workers at the Santa Cruz Dream Inn began a two-day strike today, prompting the hotel to close its restaurant, Aquarius. Cooks, Waiters, Bartenders, Bell Persons, Front Desk Clerks, Room Cleaners, Maintenance Workers, and all other employees are refusing to work, and picket lines are scheduled for the front of the hotel from 6am-10pm for both days of the strike. Workers approved the action after months of failed contract negotiations with owners, who have been expecting them to accept a three-year wage freeze.
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This afternoon, workers carried signs in front of the hotel with messages such as "Dream in Workers Cannot Afford 3 Years Wage Freeze," "Workers Love Their Jobs and Their Community. A Fair Wage Will Help to Live Here," and "Dream Inn Workers Ask for A Fair Contract Now!"

One of the many march chants workers called out in unison today as they walked the picket line was, "Dream Inn, Rich and Rude, We Don't Like Your Attitude!"

Dream Inn's management has taken over work responsibilities at the hotel, and a flyer handed out by workers is encouraging customers to demand a refund.

"Tell management you expect workers and customers to be treated better," the flyer stated.

Workers at the Santa Cruz Dream Inn are members of Unite Here! Local 483, the labor union that has represented hotel, restaurant, and other service workers in the Monterey Bay since 1937.

Workers are presently without a contract and have been negotiating with the hotel since mid-2014. Owners have proposed workers take a three-year wage freeze followed by 1% and 2% raises in the fourth and fifth years. Monthly pickets of the hotel began in September, and in mid-January, 96% of workers voted to go on strike. The union says the Dream Inn's management has not met with them since that time or made any effort to try and reach an agreement.

The union has said that because business is "booming" at the hotel, with summer-time reservations now being made for some rooms costing over $500 and $600, the Dream Inn should be "ashamed" of their demand.

The picket line is scheduled to occur until 10pm tonight, and from 6am to 10pm on Saturday, February 21.


For more information about Unite Here! Local 483, see:
http://www.unitehere483.org/


Alex Darocy
http://alexdarocy.blogspot.com/
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Add Your Comments

Comments (Hide Comments)
by Observer
What is the union's request/demand?
Just saying they don't like management's position doesn't give the reader anything to go on.
by JustAnotherProle
longshoremen-seattle.jpg
Three Year Wage Freeze

Could be worse for Dream Inn's midgets management... Could do the picket longshoreman style (Image: Seattle longshoremen prepare to thug scabs, state troopers, whomever)
by Observer
The wage freeze is management's position.
The union doesn't find that acceptable.

But what DO they find acceptable? This is a multi-year contract.

What is the union's request? Perhaps you can enlighten with your superior comprehension skills.
by JustAnotherProle
"But what DO they find acceptable? This is a multi-year contract."

I'm not involved in any way with the strikers or <del>midgets</del>... management, but off the top of my head I'd say no wage freeze at any point in the period of the contract.

I mean the Dream Inn shouldn't have a hard time making the nut to pay their employees a living wage what with all those affluent Google Bus peeps the city is inviting to overrun a town with a severe housing shortage.
by John Cohen-Colby (john.roncohen.colby [at] gmail.com)
I wholeheartedly support union workers who receive the skimming off the cream from their labor. More power to them!
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