Re: 2011 Conference | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Bruce Koloseike (koloseikbellsouth.net) | |
Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:38:08 -0700 (PDT) |
Craig.Thanks for your visit to Westwood this last winter/spring. It certainly prompted my wife and me to attend the Co-ho conference this June.
Concerning the boycott issue, would it be advisable to have a representative from the union host a session at the conference to give the opportunity for all of us to hear more about their stance and how we can best avoid the issue in the future? Likely the hotel itself might not be willing to do a similar thing, but they might also be asked --- or even have some sort of joint session.
Bruce K On Mar 25, 2011, at 1:28 PM, Craig Ragland wrote:
Lisa Poley, the 2011 Conference Chair, and I emailed a note on this unfortunate situation to Coho-L on Wednesday. Here's a link to the archival version of that note: http://lists.cohousing.org/archives/cohousing-l/msg32731.html We also posted a PDF about it on the Conference website: http://conference.cohousing.org/docs/2011/2011_hotel_labor_issue.pdf As some of you know, this year's conference is the first time that we're using a hotel and we have a lot to learn about venue selection. The 2012 Conference Chair (Katie McCamant) and I have made labor issues a criteria in selecting the venue for that conference - and we have already rejected one hotel because they are on the boycott list published by this union. The association thanks you for your support. Craig Ragland Coho/US Exec Dir Note: In July, 2011 my replacement will be taking over as the association's next Exec. Dir. To learn more about this job opportunity, click here: http://www.cohousing.org/node/3926On Thu, Mar 24, 2011 at 11:59 AM, Micah Ehler <mehler [at] unitehere.org> wrote:Dear Cohousing Community Member, It has come to our attention that the Cohousing Association of the United States has scheduled its 2011 National Cohousing Conference (June 15-19) at the Sheraton Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, VA. You may be concerned to hear that workers at this hotel (which is owned and operated by the HEI Hotels & Resorts) are engaged in a serious labor dispute; these workers called for a boycott of their hotel in March 2010 after enduring more than a year of anti-union intimidation. Picket lines and other union activities occur regularly in conjunction with the consumer boycott. As a union of hospitality workers throughout the U.S. and Canada, we take great pride in our commitment to building a community of union members and their families. Across our two countries, UNITE HERE members have fought for and won innovative improvements that reflect this commitment by pooling our resources to provide health and welfare funds which include benefits for domestic partners and their dependants, child & elder care programs, and pensions that ensure a dignified retirement after a career of service. Additionally, our members have fought for and won improvements in workplace health and safety standards, particularly for room attendants who suffer from an alarmingly high injury rate. In a survey of more than 600 hotel housekeepers in the U.S. and Canada, 91% said that they have suffered work-related pain. 77% said their workplace pain interfered with routine activities. UNITE HERE members have also been tackling the issue of affordable, quality housing. Many hotel workers either struggle to or are simply unable to afford housing close to the luxury hotels where they work. In particular, our local union in Toronto, Canada has made great strides on this issue. Working in partnership with city council, the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto, and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, the 60 Richmond Co-op was completed in March 2010. This LEED Gold Certified, 85-unit building includes a community garden and shared courtyard space for hotel workers and their families. However, Sheraton Crystal City Hotel employees do not currently enjoy these or any benefits of having a union. In fact, HEI’s refusal to provide a fair process for employees to decide whether to form a union lies at the heart of the labor dispute and boycott at the hotel. Several other hotels in the Arlington, VA/Washington D.C. area (including the Double Tree Crystal City, Capitol Hilton, Embassy Suites Crystal City, and the Sheraton Premiere at Tyson's Corner) have historically agreed to such a process – they have remained neutral and recognized unions once presented with authorization cards signed by a majority of employees. The Sheraton Crystal City has chosen instead to do just the opposite – workers have been subjected to an aggressive anti-union campaign which ultimately led them to the decision to begin a boycott (in March 2010). Too often, otherwise well-planned events end in disappointment because organizations are poorly informed about the nature of a labor dispute or expect a speedy resolution. But by changing the location of the June 2011 conference to another venue, the Cohousing Association of the United States can take a stand to strengthen our communities. Moreover, your important work deserves better than to be placed in the midst of a labor dispute. As one of the Sheraton Crystal City Hotel’s valued customers, you have an influential voice. Given our shared vision and the Cohousing Association’s commitment to “improve the world, one neighborhood at a time”, we hope that you will choose to relocate your June 2011 conference to a venue which is free of labor disputes. For a complete list of labor disputes and union hotels in the Arlington/Washington D.C. area and throughout North America, please visit www.unionhotelguide.org. Also, please contact me with any questions, concerns, or to learn more about how to best protect your event. In Solidarity, Micah Ehler Unite HERE! Boycott Coordinator 614-746-1145 mehler [at] unitehere.org _________________________________________________________________ Cohousing-L mailing list -- Unsubscribe, archives and other info at: http://www.cohousing.org/cohousing-L/_________________________________________________________________ Cohousing-L mailing list -- Unsubscribe, archives and other info at: http://www.cohousing.org/cohousing-L/
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2011 Conference Micah Ehler, March 24 2011
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Re: 2011 Conference Craig Ragland, March 25 2011
- Re: 2011 Conference Bruce Koloseike, March 25 2011
- Re: 2011 Conference Craig Ragland, March 25 2011
- Re: 2011 Conference Craig Ragland, March 25 2011
- Re: 2011 Conference Sharon Villines, March 25 2011
- Re: 2011 Conference Micah Ehler, March 25 2011
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Re: 2011 Conference Craig Ragland, March 25 2011
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