Workers at the LA Grand Hotel walked off the job Wednesday, Aug. 2, claiming management unfairly disciplined a housekeeper for voicing safety concerns during a recent staff meeting.
The hotel at 333 S. Figueroa St. is a key site for Project Roomkey, a Los Angeles program that provides temporary housing to the homeless. Employees have expressed concerns regarding their interactions with homeless guests.
The hotel’s 40 workers are represented by Unite Here Local 11, which filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the National Labor Relations Board on July 17. The union contends management criticized Maribel Fajardo and gave her a warning for not raising her issues privately.
SEE MORE: More hotel workers join in Southern California strike
Workers have a right under federal labor law to collectively raise workplace concerns with management without interference or retaliation, union officials said.
“They curtailed her speech,” Unite Here co-President Kurt Petersen said. “You don’t lose your right to talk about safety issues when you walk into a workplace — particularly when that workplace has a contract with the city.”
WORKPLACE: California businesses sharply divided on expanded paid leave proposals
Fajardo and other workers at the LA Grand want to ensure there is security onsite when problems arise with unruly guests.
Petersen said the hotel workers plan to continue the walkout until management stops threatening employees who speak out on security issues.
Pete Hillan, a...
Park Filed Complaint Against President Lee Ahead of 2021 Election Jang Youngha Sentenced to One Year in Prison, Two Years Probation Confirmed The police have launched an investigation into Park Chu...