Author Archives for Ann Kammerer
On the anniversary of September 11, 2001, UNITE HERE remembers all those who lost their lives on that tragic day. We hold especially close the memory of our 43 sisters and brothers from UNITE HERE Local 100 who died while working at Windows on the World, a restaurant located at the top of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
In memory of our fallen brothers and sisters at Windows on the World:
- Sophia Buruwa Addo
- Shabbir Ahmed
- Antonio J. Alvarez
- Telmo Alvear
- Manuel O. Asitimbay
- Samuel Ayala
- Ivhan Luis Carpio Bautista
- Jesus Cabezas
- Manuel Gregorio Chavez
- Mohammed S. Chowdhury
- Jose De Pena
- Nancy Diaz
- Henry Fernandez
- Lucille Virgen Francis
- Enrique A. Gomez
- Jose B. Gomez
- Wilder Gomez
- Ysidro Hidalgo Tejada
- John Holland
- Francois Jean-Pierre
- Eliezer Jimenez Jr.
- Abdoulaye Kone
- Victor Kwarkye
- Jeffrey Latouche
- Lebardo Lopez
- Jan Maciejewski
- Manuel Mejia
- Antonio Melendez
- Nana Akwasi Minkah
- Martin Morales
- Blanca Morocho
- Jerome Nedd
- Juan Nieves Jr.
- Jose R. Nunez
- Isidro Ottenwalder
- Jesus Ovalles
- Victor Paz Gutierrez
- Alejo Perez
- Moises Rivas
- David B. Rodriguez Vargas
- Gilbert Ruiz
- Juan Salas
- Abdoul Karim Traore
The families and coworkers of those mostly immigrant workers talk about their loss, their dreams, and their challenges in the movie “Windows.”
This month, hotel workers at three Midtown hotels – the Fairfield New York Manhattan Times Square, the Four Points Midtown Times Square, and the Jewel Hotel – voted to authorize strikes, picket lines, and boycotts.
In the days since, hundreds of union members have stepped up to become picket captains and sign up for picket shifts.
“Being in a union means you have someone protecting you and fighting for your rights” said Chris Lopez of the New York Hilton. “The workers at the Fairfield & Four Points Times Square, the Jewel – they are not alone. We’re all here to support them, together, until the end.”
Workers at the Hilton Riverside in New Orleans have ratified a new contract that delivers major gains, including $5.95 in raises over four years, a $17.05 minimum wage at ratification, and a pathway to a $20 minimum wage by 2029.
The agreement also includes a pension, a training fund, a Gold health care plan, and six additional paid holidays, marking a strong victory for hotel workers.
In June, Local 5 members at the DoubleTree Alana Hotel and Ilikai Hotel in Waikiki voted by an overwhelming majority to ratify their new contracts and secured “the Waikiki Standard” originally set by strikers at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in 2024. Both DoubleTree and Ilikai workers won their new contracts after months of petitions, delegations, and rallies to show management they were serious about fighting for a contract they deserve and can be proud of.
Since the 40-day strike at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, more than 20 other Hawaii hotels have been able to secure new contracts that reflect the settlement at the Village, including historic wage increases, improved severance and recall, major industry impact language, and more.
Now, almost two years later all Local 5 hotels in Waikiki have won new contracts because of workers sticking together and refusing to let any employer divide us or bring our standard down
Concessions workers employed by Delaware North at Target Field went on strike on June 22. Local 17 bartenders, dishwashers, waiters, and attendants are fighting for job protections, affordable health care, and wages that reflect the business they help bring in every game.
The union is calling on fans not to cross the picket line by purchasing food or drinks inside the stadium, and to bring their own food to support workers during the strike.
“We are frustrated. Instead of respecting the workers who make it possible for fans to have fun at Target Field, DNC has offered us pennies and left us no choice but to strike,” said Sheigh Freeberg, Secretary Treasurer, UNITE HERE Local 17. “With what DNC charges for food and beer, they can afford fair wages and healthcare for workers. Workers shouldn’t worry about losing their job to technology or volunteers.”
Culinary Union announced that it reached a tentative agreement on its first union contract with Sphere Las Vegas. The new contract will protect over 800 hospitality workers at Sphere Las Vegas.
On June 25, Local 23 members and stadium concessions workers spoke before the Harris County Commissioners Court, calling for support as they continue their fight for better jobs. Workers reminded county leaders that they are the backbone of every successful event, from World Cup matches to concerts, yet many are still struggling to make ends meet.
Grove Bay employees at Rhode Island’s T.F. Green International Airport went on a one-day strike on Thursday, July 25th, picketing from 3am to 7pm. The 73 food & beverage workers are demanding wages that meet the cost of living – they have been working without a contract since last August and have not received raises in two years.
According to server Alecia Rogers, the strike felt very empowering. “As a single mom, it’s a great opportunity to teach my son a valuable life lesson: if you believe in something, you stand up for it. You fight for it. And if something is unjust or unfair, use your voice.”
The strike took place as FIFA World Cup visitors traveled through Rhode Island to games in nearby Massachusetts, shining a spotlight on workers who are often the first to greet visitors to the state.
On June 18, Local 8 members at the Embassy Suites next to Seattle’s Lumen Field walked out on strike as they continue fighting for a new union contract. Workers are demanding year-round health care coverage, protections from ICE, fair raises, and a return to pre-pandemic staffing levels.
“The market right now is bad for the whole country,” says Stiliano Hibroj, a banquet houseman. “Housing, bills, groceries – everything costs more. The raises the hotel is offering are ridiculous.”
“As a brown woman,” says front desk agent Dom Kaur, “I know ICE does not care whether you are a U.S. citizen. It is wrong for our bosses to sit there and say they cannot do anything about it.”
On June 9, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup just days away, Local 11 announced a tentative agreement with Legends Hospitality. Covering approximately 2,000 food and beverage workers at SoFi Stadium, the tentative agreement secures massive wage increases, landmark job protections, and groundbreaking privacy rights.
Notably, it includes an explicit right to strike if ICE or Border Patrol activity at the worksite threatens worker safety—a provision legal experts say is unprecedented in modern American labor history.
