Sunset Boulevard In West Hollywood To Shut Down Today For Hotel Workers' Demonstration
As if traffic is not bad enough: Unionized hotel workers planned to block a stretch of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood Thursday in protest of job cuts and elimination of health care benefits at Hyatt Hotels, which has a property at the targeted location. In reaction, authorities granted the protesters their wish and said Sunset between La Cienega Boulevard and Sweetzer Avenue between 4:30 p.m. and the end of the action.
According to Leigh Shelton, spokeswoman for UNITE HERE Local 11, up to 100 people are expected to show up outside the Hyatt-owned Andaz West Hollywood to take part in the 5 p.m. demonstration. Red carpet-style interviews and a brief song-and-dance performance have also been planned.
"We certainly don't want to ruin anyone's day," Shelton said. "A big part of our message is we want to show the working people in this community there are mechanisms for you to fight back. You just don't have to take it."
A statement issued by Andaz criticizes union leadership for chosing disruptive demonstrations over "[meeting] at the bargaining table to find solutions."
The hotel and restaurant workers union plans to tarket the hotel with protests in 15 cities throughout the United States and Canada.
-With reporting from City News Service. Got news? Email us.
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