Workers appeal for justice at Hyatt Regency

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_3583

Workers appeal for justice at Hyatt Regency
By Michael Moore, Union Advocate editor
27 March 2008
MINNEAPOLIS - Two months ago, five cleaning workers at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis allegedly approached their supervisor and asked her for additional supplies – basic equipment like paper towels and dusters. The workers now say that simple request cost them their jobs.

On Wednesday morning, members of Workers Interfaith Network and supporters from the community joined the cleaning workers in a rally outside the posh downtown hotel, where they blew whistles, banged drums and called on Hyatt Regency to "have some decency."

"We just asked for materials to be able to do our job, and they fired us," former worker Rosalia Morales Gomez said through a translator. "We were interested in doing a good job and cleaning well, but they wouldn't give us the equipment.

"The manager just said, 'There's no more work for you guys. You don't work for us anymore.' It was totally unjust."

Hyatt Regency referred questions about the fired workers to International Hotel Services, its cleaning contractor. IHS President Rick Holliday disputed the workers' story, instead claiming the workers walked off the job in the middle of a shift.

"Our supervisor … pointed out some issues that needed to be addressed," Holliday said. "She met with the team and said, 'Hey guys, we've got to take care of this,' and (the workers) said, 'That's your problem.'"

FULL story at link.