HERE: Congress Plaza Hotel Labor Trial Begins Monday; Federal Government Charges Labor Law Violations

MAY 21,2004
CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 21, 2004–On Monday, May 24, the 345th day of the Congress Hotel Strike, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will bring its case against hotel management to trial. The federal agency issued a complaint last September, alleging numerous labor law violations by the Congress Plaza Hotel management. Workers at the hotel, represented by HERE Local 1, have been on strike since June 15, 2003, following numerous unfair labor practices allegedly committed by the employer.

“These charges from the federal government confirm what we’ve been saying about the Congress management: they are a renegade employer,” said HERE Local 1 President Henry Tamarin.

The original complaint alleged violations include bargaining in bad faith, illegal implementation of wage cuts in the midst of negotiations, and the refusal to provide requested information in bargaining. Charges of additional labor law violations have also been added to the case by the NLRB, including the illegal termination of two striking shop stewards and the illegal modification and implementation of a heath care proposal.

The Congress Hotel is owned by a limited partnership, in which the key investor is Albert Nasser. With residences in New York and Switzerland, Nasser is Chairman and CEO of Gelmart Industries, a major manufacturer of women’s undergarments. Strikers from the Congress hotel visited Gelmart workers in the Philippines in March, and learned that Gelmart has moved much of its production to subcontractor facilities including at least one with allegations of worker abuse which may have violated national and international labor standards.

“This global rogue Albert Nasser continues to give the City of Chicago a black eye,” said Tamarin. “But justice is on our side. We are confident that the striking Congress workers will prevail.”

HERE Local 1 is planning a massive demonstration to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the strike on June 15.

Visit the website: www.CongressHotelStrike.info