5/3: Woodfin struggle continues...

Dear Friends,

Today is the day! Check out the BAIRC website<http://www.immigrantrights.org/> for a listing of marches across the Bay Area. The immigrant struggle belongs to all of us. After today the work will continue - make sure to stay involved. Below is an opportunity to show solidarity with immigrant workers who continue to fight for their jobs and win decent working conditions at the Emeryville Woodfin Suites Hotel.

Peace,
Larisa
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Dear Friends,

As communities around the country march for immigration reform on May Day, workers at the Woodfin Hotel in Emeryville are struggling to defend immigrants' rights in our own community - and are paying a heavy price.

Last week, twelve workers Woodfin workers were fired in apparent retaliation for blowing the whistle on living wage violations at the Emeryville hotel. These workers have spent nearly a year in a courageous fight to win decent working conditions and defend their jobs from the Woodfin's anti-worker, anti-immigrant attacks. They are now fighting for immediate reinstatement and over $200,000 in back pay owed to them. And they need YOUR help!

Please join us for a massive Emergency Rally to Reinstate Woodfin Suites Workers this Thursday, May 3rd from 5-7 PM at the Woodfin (5800 Shellmound, Emeryville).

In the past year, the Woodfin has: sued the City of Emeryville - twice! - seeking to overrule the will of the voters; refused for nearly a year to comply with Measure C after it went into effect; denied workers even a penny of the $200,000 in back pay owed to them; fired workers 10 days before Christmas against the council's urgings; filed a frivolous lawsuit against a city council member who sought dialogue with hotel management; refused to cooperate with the city's investigation; evicted a longtime hotel resident and her 11-year old daughter explicitly because they supported the workers; and now has fired the workers a second time in blatant violation of city law.

Now, the City of Emeryville has the opportunity to deny the Woodfin an operating permit until the hotel puts the housekeepers back to work and pays workers the back wages they're owed. But, the City Council needs encouragement to do the right thing. Please: (1) Click here<http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Q8rcxSqTiXoF%2B9EfPDXC6qI9UdYKLaWM> to send a message to City Council; and (2) Join us Thursday for a massive rally at the Woodfin.

"This is an act of racism against immigrants. They have no problem with our Social Security numbers when we just work and obey orders, but as soon as we start learning our rights and standing up for them, they take it badly and start trying to get even. Please join my co-workers and I in fighting to get our jobs back," said fired Woodfin housekeeper, Luz D.

For more information, call Claire Haas at (510) 893-7106, ext. 27 or email chaas[at]workingeastbay.org.

Sincerely,
EBASE

p.s. Our usual Tuesday picket from 4:30-7PM at the Woodfin has been cancelled. Instead, please join the Woodfin workers at the May 1st rally starting at 10 AM at the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland. Thanks!


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Larisa Casillas
Director
Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition (BAIRC)
310 Eighth Street, Suite 303
Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: (510) 839-7598
Fax: (510) 465-1885
http://www.immigrantrights.org<http://www.immigrantrights.org/>