Last November 64% of Long Beach city residents had voted in favor of Measure N that requires Long Beach hotels with more than 100 rooms to pay their employees at least $13 an hour even though the minimum wage in California is $8.
Right before the new minimum wage for Long Beach hotels goes into effect, Best Western Golden Sails Hotel that has 170 rooms told their 75 employees that they all will be laid off by Saturday , December 15, 2012. The employees were also told that the hotel will be downsizing and it will be reopened under a new management. Some of the employees will be rehired but as of this Saturday all employees are considered terminated and are eligible for a $1,000 severance package.
Rosa Rivera , a 20 - year employee at the Best Western cries outside of the hotel. Mrs. Rivera said that she does not know why she was laid off and how she will pay her rent and bills without a job. Carmen Pena, a 9 - year employee said that because she was fired her children will not have Christmas presents this year. "I don't know why I was fired", Pena added crying.
In response to this injustice, employees of this Best Western hotel along with a Unite Here, Local 11 group and about 100 Long Beach residents/ activists, gathered together to protest the hotel's immoral practices. California State Senator Ricardo Lara and four Long Beach City Council members, Patrick O'Donnell, Steve Neal, Al Austin and Suja Lowenthal joined the protesters this morning. The city officials addressed the crowd at the press conference pointing out the hotel's immoral , anti - American and anti - Democratic practices.
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| Protesters march chanting," Yes we can/Si, se puede". |
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| Protesters march chanting outside of the Hotel |
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| Protesters march chanting" What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!". |
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| Protesters march chanting " This is what justice looks like! (protesters point at themselves ), This is what disgusting looks like! (protesters point at the hotel)". |
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| Long Beach City Councilmember 4th district, Patrick O' Donnell marches with the protesters |
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| The protesters gather for press conference. |
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| State and city officials arrive at Best Western Golden Sail Hotel to support the hotel's employees. From left to right: Long Beach Councilmember 4th district Patrick O' Donnell, California State Senator Ricardo Lara, Long Beach Councilmember 9th district Steven Neal, Long Beach Councilmember 8th district Al Austin and Long Beach Councilmember 2nd district Suja Lowenthal. |
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| Rosa Rivera, a 20 - year employee speaks at the press conference outside Best Western Golden Sails Hotel. Rivera said "I don't know why I was fired, I was working hard for 20 years and the way I was fired was unfair". Rivera added crying " I don't know what I am going to do without my job". |
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| California State Senator, Ricardo Lara, addresses the crowd during the protest. Senator Lara said that firing workers during the holiday season is immoral and that the fight will continue. |
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| Long Beach City Councilmember, Patrick O' Donnell speaks during the press conference. O' Donnell said that the Best Western hotel's practices are immoral and this is not democracy. |
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| Long Beach City Councilmember 9th district Steven Neal speaks at the press conference during the protest. The Council member mentioned the necessity of Unions today to protect workers right. |
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| Suja Lowenthal, 2nd district Long Beach City Council member said that the Best Western Hotel must comply with the desire of 64% of Long Beach city residents that voted to pay hotel workers $13 an hour. "If everybody is able to financially provide for their children and families we all will be better off" |
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| Long Beach City Councilmember 8th district Al Ausitn speaks at the press conference during the protest. |
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| Protesters gather inside the Best Western Golden Sails Hotel in hopes of speaking to to the general manager, Matthew Daniel. |
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| Carmen Pena a 9 - year employee cries inside the Best Western Hotel while talking about her situation to a desk manager. California State Senator Ricardo Lara tries to comfort her. |
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| California State Senator Ricardo Lara and Long Beach City Council members Al Austin and Steven Neal speak to a desk manager at the Best Western Hotel, Donald Witz. The city officials asked to meet and speak to Hotel's general manager , Matthew Daniel. Mr. Witz told them that general manager was not here and he did not know how to get in touch with him. |