Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: 2011 Natl Coho Conf update: Liz Walker was Fantastic! and the conference's labor challenges

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On 17 Jun 2011, at 11:26 AM, Craig Ragland wrote:

> Another sadness for me is how little is being accomplished with the union -
> at least so far. So much more would have been possible If the Unite
> Here! representatives had been interested in collaborating instead of
> confronting. This morning, about 10 people from the union were in front of
> the hotel for about an hour. I went out briefly to share my sadness about
> the situation and my respect for their intentions.

I don't know what is happening now, but the two union reps I spoke with in May 
were quite willing to help move the conference. I didn't have time to help but 
I think Ann Zabaldo did work with them.

It's a sad situation but the good news is that I can't imagine that it will 
happen again. One lesson is for the Board to put out general queries the minute 
problems like this arise. The hotel is obligated to inform people who have 
contracted for spaces about any labor actions as soon as they occur. They 
didn't. The board should also have notified the membership as soon as they 
knew. I don't know if that happened or not.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org