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Hotel Strike in Puerto Rico, Winter 2009 – 2010

Hotel workers in Puerto Rico are preparing to strike at three hotels: the Conrad Condado Plaza Hilton hotel, the Caribe Hilton hotel and the El San Juan Hilton hotel and casino. Although negotiations between the workers and the Hilton Corporation are expected to continue, a strike is considered imminent. There would be major disruptions to most services as the strike would involve more than 1,100 employees, including cleaning, restaurant, kitchen, bars, room service, banqueting, reception, bellboys and porters, pool, telephone, maintenance , croupiers and slot tellers.

All beaches in Puerto Rico are, by law, open to the public, and for the duration of the strike, the beaches adjacent to the hotels will be occupied by striking workers and hundreds of their friends and supporters. From early in the morning until late at night, there will be large and noisy pickets and demonstrations outside the hotels, and especially on the beaches. Hotel guests will be able to come to the beach to meet the strikers and learn more about the dispute. Also, of course, they have the option of going to another beach to relax and have fun.

The strike can start at any time and can last for several months. Guests who have not yet made reservations should book with other hotels. Those who already have reservations must cancel them.

Background

UNITE HERE Local 610 represents more than 1,100 employees at three Hilton hotels in Puerto Rico: the Conrad Condado Plaza Hilton hotel, the Caribe Hilton hotel and the El San Juan Hilton hotel and casino. The National Labor Relations Board has issued complaints against Hilton for failing to bargain in good faith with workers and for intimidating and coercing them. At one point, salaries and benefits at these hotels were on a par with most other Hilton employees in North America. But, in recent years, the company has taken a hard line on contract negotiations in Puerto Rico, forcing deep cuts in wages and benefits, increasing workloads and imposing unfair and demeaning policies. Although negotiations between the workers and the Hilton Corporation are expected to continue, a strike is considered imminent.

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