Workers protest inside Vancouver Hilton
VANCOUVER — Several mem-
bers of UNITE HERE Local 9 were
joined by leaders of the Washington
and Oregon AFL-CIO and Southwest
Washington Central Labor Council
Oct. 14 in their battle for a fair contract.
The contract for approximately 114
workers expired in June. The union is
seeking modest wage increases and af-
fordable health insurance. The hotel op-
erates under a lease with the City of
Vancouver, which owns the hotel and
convention center. Management points
to the economy and slow business as
reasons why it can’t provide more com-
pensation.
“Many of these workers are paid
minimum wage and can’t afford health
insurance,” said Lynne Dodson, secre-
tary-treasurer of the Washington State
Labor Council.
Dodson led workers and union lead-
ers, including Oregon AFL-CIO Secre-
tary-Treasurer Barbara Byrd, singing
labor songs in the front lobby of the ho-
tel (photo right). Afterward, Dodson
presented General Manager Eric Wal-
ters (photo above) with a ceremonial
$110,000 check that “they WON’T get
from WSLC” if the Hilton doesn’t bar-
gain a fair contract with their employ-
ees. The state labor federation has
booked its 2013 state convention in
Vancouver.
“If there’s a labor problem, we
won’t be here,” Dodson said. “This
check represents just a portion of what
will be spent in this city during conven-
tion week.”
Shannon Walker, president of the
SW Washington Central Labor Coun-
cil, says both hotel management and
city government are responsible for the
workers’ plight. “The city, which owns
this property, says it’s not their respon-
sibility. We think they should get in-
volved moving these negotiations
along,” Walker said. “Whatever wages
these workers get are spent directly in
our community, which helps everyone.”
The event was part of the AFL-
CIO’s America Wants to Work National
Week of Action, a coast-to-coast mobi-
lization of working people demanding
action from government to promote a
real jobs creation agenda.
Southwest Washington
Electricians PAC #48
HAS ENDORSED THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES
AND BALLOT MEASURES IN THE NOV .
8
WASHINGTON GENERAL ELECTION :
Washington House of Representatives
7 Sharon WILEY - District 49, Pos. 1
Vancouver City Council
7 Bart HANSEN - Position #4
7 Larry SMITH - Position #5
7 Anne McENERNY-OGLE - Position #6
Port of Vancouver
7 Brian WOLFE - Commissioner
Washougal City Council
7 Rod MORRIS - Position #2
7 Molly COSTON - Position #7
LaCenter
7 Jim IRISH - Mayor
Clark County Ballot Measure
PAC #48 SUPPORTS:
• Proposition 1: (Approve an 0.2 percent sales tax increase to
maintain the existing level of C-TRAN bus service
Statewide Ballot Measure
PAC #48 OPPOSES: • Initiative 1183:
privatizing liquor sales
• Initiative 1125: Tim Eyman’s transportation tolls
Paid for by SW Washington Electricians PAC #48
PAGE 12
NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
OCTOBER 21, 2011