UNITE HERE Local 217 Workers Boycott Westin Hotel
On March 11, 2010, managers at the Westin Providence Hotel unilaterally imposed severe changes to the workers’ wages, health insurance and working conditions. This action followed earlier unfair labor practices committed by The Procciacanti Group management of this hotel. The Regional Director of the National Labor Relations Board has directed issuance of a Government complaint against the Westin for earlier actions, including the illegal firing of three union activists. Further charges before the National Labor Relations Board’s prosecutorial division against the Hotel’s subsequent actions are now pending. Because of these unfair labor practices the workers of the Westin Providence have voted 138-2 to ask you not to patronize this hotel.
The Westin Providence Hotel’s latest actions include:
- 20% cut in workers’ wages across the board
- Tripling the employee contribution to healthcare
- Increased workload for the already overloaded housekeepers
- The removal of job security protections via subcontracting
Carmen Castillo, a single mother and hotel housekeeper for 15 years, says the cuts will have a devastating impact on her family budget. "My wages now cover my mortgage and car payment," she said. "So I don't have money to pay my bills and I don't have money to put food on the table for my kids."
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“It’s an outrage that the Procaccianti management has unilaterally changed my wages and health insurance right in the middle of contract negotiations,” said Chris Cook, a Purchasing and Receiving Agent at the Westin and an Executive Board member of UNITE HERE Local 217, the Union at the hotel. “The Procacciantis are making me choose between putting food on the table and keeping health insurance for my wife and five-year-old son.”
Today these workers are standing strong with the help of Providence Councilman Miguel Luna and Councilman John Lombardi. There has a large public outcry against the Westin’s actions. Many groups have pledged not to patronize the hotel. There are regular picket lines and protests in front of the hotel.
Over thirty cast and crew members working on the new Body of Evidence ABC TV pilot had moved out of Westin Providence Hotel in solidarity with the Westin workers’ boycott. The stars of the pilot, Dana Delany (Katherine Mayfair on Desperate Housewives) and Jeri Ryan (Borg Seven of Nine on Star Trek: Voyager), were among those who switched their accommodations to the Providence Biltmore Hotel.
Event planners with Brown University’s Key Society also relocated their large Gala event to honor the boycott called by the Westin workers.
We are asking you to respect the boycott. We are asking you not to cross the picket lines. We are asking you to send the Westin a clear message: that you will not patronize the Westin Providence Hotel as long as its unfair practices continue.
Please contact Camilo Viveiros of Rhode Island Jobs with Justice at (401)454-4766 (or email camilorijwj@gmail.com), to get more information on this boycott or to speak with workers from this hotel.
Thank you for your support.
