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