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Justice for World Trade Center Marriott Workers
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The Marriott World Trade Center Hotel employed more than 500
employees, many of whom are immigrants from Mexico, Dominican
Republic, Haiti, Vietnam and Ghana. Some were killed in the
tragedy of September 11. Many were injured. Many risked their
lives to save others. Those who survived lost colleagues and
their livelihood, and are living with nightmares about the attack.
Abandoned in the wake of tragedy
In the aftermath of the attack, Marriott workers are facing
a new nightmare. They were promised aid from the Marriott, donated
expressly to help those affected by the World Trade Center disaster,
yet many have received none of this. Meanwhile, they were prevented
from receiving full government and charity relief by the Marriott
who assured various agencies that they were well taken care
of. And, despite promises to place workers in other Marriott
facilities, the Marriott laid all employees of the World Trade
Center location off on October 5 with no job prospect, even
though many had worked at the hotel for as long as 20 years.
After dedicating countless hours working at the Marriott, after
risking their lives to save hotel guests, the hotel's employees
have been abandoned by Marriott at this crucial time.
Join Marriott Workers Fighting Back
We invite you to join our Justice Will Be Served Campaign to
demand justice for hundreds of Marriott World Trade Center workers,
for the New Silver Palace workers and for other service workers.
On September 11th the Marriott World Trade Center Hotel was
destroyed. Many Marriott workers risked their lives to save
innocent hotel guests. Afterwards, Marriott promised
to work with these workers to "make every effort to assist with
placement into new positions." Instead of keeping its promise,
Marriott laid all of them off on October 5 with no job prospects.
Some had worked at the Marriott for more than 20 years.
Meanwhile Marriott is opening two new New York City hotels,
hiring new workers for lower wages. Marriott has 2,300 hotels
worldwide and made more than $10 billion in sales last year.
It is the largest lodging corporation in the world. Now the
company stands to benefit from the $20 billion in U.S. aid pledged
to help rebuild New York City.
On Wednesday, January 26th hundreds of Marriott World Trade
Center workers and other service workers and supporters mobilized
under the banner of the Justice Will Be Served Campaign to demonstrate
at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square in New York City. Together
we demanded jobs for the Marriott World Trade Center workers
at their original salary; decent working conditions free from
harassment; the full benefits from the Marriott Associates Assistance
Fund that were promised to all displaced Marriott workers; and
counseling services for Marriott employees affected by the WTC
disaster.
This is not just about workers at one hotel. The Justice Will
Be Served Campaign brings together the Marriott workers with
other service industry workers and with other working people
to stop employers from using the September 11th tragedy as an
excuse for layoffs and increasing pressure on the job. Before
September 11th Justice Will Be Served was already standing with
workers against tip-stealing, mandatory double shifts and other
sweatshop conditions that run rampant in service industries.
In the year 2000 we won the first minimum wage increase for
New York State restaurant workers in over ten years. However,
as employers are putting more pressure on us than ever before
it is important to take our efforts to a new level.
Lead the way with us in mounting a national campaign and boycott
demanding justice for Marriott workers. Bring your organization
to join or endorse the Justice Will Be Served Campaign. Share
your ideas and input with us. Download and Circulate the petition
(.pdf format) to support our demands to Marriott. Work with
us to find ways to build national and international pressure
on Marriott.
Together we can set a powerful example and inspire more workers
to stand up. We're not going to knuckle-under or tighten our
belts for the sake of preserving corporate profits. We're organizing
to fight harder than ever for better lives. Join us in demanding,
Justice Will Be Served!
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