Woodfin Suites hotel workers won another victory on Aug. 27. The Emeryville, Calif., City Council voted unanimously to
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Woodfin was ordered to pay approximately $250,000 to the 21 courageous workers who stood up for their right to receive a living wage by Sept. 14. It also must pay $45,000 in fines to the city for failing to produce adequate documentation.
Workers at Woodfin have been struggling for justice since 2005.
Emeryville passed a “living wage” law that went into effect in December 2006. In response, Woodfin sued the city, seeking to block implementation of the law, Measure C. A court overturned Woodfin’s case, but the hotel chain still refused to comply. Instead, they have continued to repress the hotel workers, even firing a large group after getting “no match” letters.
The workers have mobilized with community support to demand decent wages and respect for the law.
Outside the City Council meeting on Aug. 27, over 200 people formed a mass picket line, chanting in solidarity with the workers and demanding justice. Following the picket, East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy organizers held a mock hearing on the steps of City Hall that culminated in the mock arrest of Woodfin’s general manager, Hugh MacIntosh. It was followed by shouts of joy.
The ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) participated in the action.
Just before the crowd entered the council meeting there was a loud final chant: “We have the power. What kind of power? The people’s power.” The room was filled to capacity.
Emeryville’s city attorney, Michael Biddle, read the charges against Woodfin in the council chambers. Woodfin’s attorney, however, continually interrupted Biddle. In a tense moment, Emeryville’s mayor threw Woodfin’s lawyer out of the chambers. He was only able to return at the end of the hearing to present an argument that the city attorney deemed “largely irrelevant.”
Woodfin’s main argument was against the constitutionality of Measure C, stating that no city or court can mandate how a business should be organized. Woodfin wants independence to enforce wage exploitation for greater profits. They also want to continue to use immigration status as a way to discourage workers from standing up for their rights.
The Emeryville City Council’s decision is a step forward in the struggle, but the workers and their supporters must continue pressuring Woodfin to pay. Without pressure, Woodfin will not lift a finger to meet their legal obligations or respect workers’ rights.
There will be a hotel workers’ picket on Saturday, Sept. 1, between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. in front of the hotel. Come out in solidarity and support the struggle against capitalist greed and exploitation.
