Workers at the Hyatt Santa Clara publicly asked for a fair process to choose a union back in June 2008. Unfortunately, Hyatt management continues to reject its workers' request for the company to stay neutral while workers decide for themselves whether or not to have a union -- a process known as a card check agreement.  Housekeepers continue to clean 17-21 rooms each day, and some workers must rely on Healthy Families, public assistance for the most needy, for their children's health care coverage.

The good news is that since July, there has been a huge outpouring of community support for hotel workers.  Over 50 community leaders and organizations have endorsed a letter of support for hotel workers, and more than 8,000 individuals have signed cards pledging to stand with hotel workers in their struggle for dignity and respect.

Union hotel workers in Santa Clara county have been energized by their own campaign for livable wages and are standing up for the rights of their non-union brothers and sisters. On October 30th, a Halloween-themed rally drew a large crowd to the Hyatt despite the rain.  Protestors chanted and carried placards in Spanish, English and Tagalog; some wore masks and doled out tiny Halloween candy treats, mocking management’s miserly attitude toward employees.

Photos: 1 | 2 | Unite Here!

Previous coverage from July, 2008