Standing with our Sisters and Brothers in the Hotel Industry

Concerned Santa Clara County residents rightly point out that hotel employees' work provides our cities with tens of millions of dollars from the transient occupancy tax. They advocate on behalf of those who seek to unionize saying that they have the right to a fair process to choose a union without intimidation or threats from their employer.

Community members rallied alongside employees to remind hotel management and guests that these hard workers deserve our respect. Together with workers they carried signs and gave brief speeches calling for health care, livable wages and a safe and fair workload. They emphasized that employees deserve the right to bargain for a pension, so they can retire with dignity after years of service in the hotel industry.

Those signing a statement of support included affordable housing advocates, educators, labor lawyers, heath care advocates, union members, faith leaders and peace activists. Some of those who signed the statement are members of groups including:

Californians for Justice, San Jose Peace and Justice Center, Seven Trees Coalition, Nihonmachi (Japantown) Outreach Committee, Friends of South Asia, Voluntarios de la comunidad, San Jose State Student Advocates for Higher Education, Asian Law Alliance, SIREN, South Bay Mobilization, Health Care for All, 9 to 5, and the Raging Grannies.