Congress Hotel Workers Rally On 9th Year Anniversary Of Strike
By aaroncynic in News on Jun 15, 2012 6:00PM
For nine years hotel workers have been picketing in front of the Congress Hotel in the South Loop in what is now the longest hotel workers strike in American history. In 2003, workers represented by UNITE HERE! Local 1 began their strike, after the hotel froze wages and refused to pay healthcare premiums for its employees. Since then, rain or shine, summer or winter, striking workers and UNITE HERE! signs have become a fixture in front of the hotel doors. (Ed. Note: Then-Sen. Barack Obama walked the picket line in 2007.—CS)
Today, UNITE HERE! Local 1 plans to hold a rally at the hotel from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the hopes that hundreds will join the striking workers in solidarity. Hip hop artist Young General will also join the workers and perform a song he wrote in honor of the Congress strike.