Some of you might remember the Westin in Providence, RI — it was the site of JwJ’s 2008 national conference.

Unfortunately, times have taken a turn for the worse, and last week workers at the Westin Providence Hotel, members of UNITE HERE 217, called for a boycott on the hotel in response to hotel management unilaterally imposing a 20% reduction in workers’ wages coupled with a tripling of health insurance costs.  On top of that, hotel management significantly reduced employees’ sick days, vacations, and holidays.

Please sign the petition pledging to stand in solidarity with the Westin Providence Hotel workers. Join us as we call on the Westin Providence Hotel to respect their workers and to respect the work that made the hotel a success.

If you do business at the Westin, let us know how much of your business the Westin is losing. How much do you spend on renting halls or meeting rooms or dining at the Westin? Email rijobswithjustice@gmail.com

You can also find out about upcoming pickets in solidarity

Continue reading Join the Boycott of the Westin in Providence, RI

On November 7, 2009, the Westin Providence fired three housemen, Alfred Palumbo, Mike Crone, and Jose Minaya, in retaliation for their legally protected union protest.  The Westin refused appeals from the Union and community leaders to reinstate them.  The workers’ union, UNITE HERE Local 217,  filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which investigated the case for four months.

On Wednesday, February 24, the NLRB Regional Director in Boston gave notice that the Federal Government has authorized a civil prosecution of the Westin Providence for the firings.

In order to avoid further prosecution, the Westin Providence suddenly offered all three workers reinstatement at the hotel to their previous jobs, pay and benefits.  Once the NLRB authorizes a complaint, the Westin will be required to make all three workers whole for lost back pay and benefits, and post an official Federal notice throughout the Hotel in order to avoid a trial before a federal

Continue reading Fired Westin Workers in Providence, RI Win Their Jobs Back After NLRB Action

Last week we told you about two campaigns that Rhode Island JwJ supported during JwJ’s economic recovery week of action – an ordinance to protect against Hyatt-style subcontracting in the Providence Convention Center District, and a union contract campaign for food service workers at Brown University where health care was a key issue. 

Yesterday, Brown dining service workers voted to approve a new three-year contract that keeps health care affordable and includes 2% wage increases each year. 

Last night, the Providence City Council took a final vote to approve the Hospitality Business Protection and Worker Retention Ordinance.  The ordinance will require that hospitality businesses in the district, including the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, the Rhode Island Convention Center, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, and three hotels, retain employees for at least six months in the event of a sale or subcontract of the business and maintain the prevailing wage and health insurance standards.

These victories come as “the most dangerous woman in Rhode Island

Continue reading Update: Two Worker Victories in Providence

More than 200 activists marched from Brown University to Whole Foods in Providence, RI as part of the Jobs with Justice national week of action for a real economic recovery.  RI JwJ joined with SEIU 615, UFCW 328, and other supporters to march for “Affordable Health Care; Nationally and at Home.”

As food service workers negotiate a new contract, Brown University is looking to cuts costs, causing health care coverage to become the primary issue for workers.  The current contract expires October 12, 2009.  Students have already come forward to stand in support of maintaining health care affordability for ALL Brown food service workers and families.  Baird Bream, a senior at Brown and member of the Student Labor Alliance, explained:

We, as students, are standing in support with the Brown Dining Service workers because we think it is unfair for the university to expect their workers to shoulder so much of the burden of this financial crisis.

Continue reading RI JwJ Rallies for Health Care

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