San Diego Free Press

Grassroots News & Progressive Views

20 Arrested at Mission Valley Hilton Protest over Job Security

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Photo by CPI San Diego via Flickr

By Doug Porter

Twenty people were arrested Friday evening during a protest at the HiltonMissionValley hotel during a protest stemming from the refusal of management to take step to protect employee jobs during the sale of the property. Tarsadia investments is currently negotiating to buy the location.

Those arrested included hotel workers, family members, clergy and community advocates. The hotel has been the focus of organizing efforts by union advocates for months now. Employees were recently forced to re-apply for their jobs by the current owner, HEI Hotels and Resorts, a move aimed at breaking the back of a burgeoning employee organizing effort.

Employees were told by management on January 13th that they face mass layoffs.  The hotel filed notice with the state of its intention to lay off workers on under the state’s WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) system run by the Employment Development Department.

Working conditions at the hotel have been subject of a number of labor protests.  Approximately 25% of the workforce at the property filed claims with the State Labor Commissioner for alleged wage theft and other violations of state law last August.

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Phot by CPI San Diego via Flickr

“My daughter was arrested today, standing up for our family,” said Laura Garcia, a room attendant at the hotel. Laura is baffled by the hotel’s refusal to stand with hard-working employees such as herself and her husband, who both have worked there for two years.

My income provides for my three daughters,” said Jorge Marengo, a banquet houseman and two-time Employee of the Month at Hilton Mission Valley. “We are here because we asked HEI to do like many hotel owners do, ensure that the new owner will hire all of us.”

On March 6, hotel employees will find out if they will be fired. Workers have made moves to speak with the new owners, who have thus far refused to provide an answer that will enable these families to plan for their financial future.

Doug Porter

Doug Porter

Doug Porter was active in the early days of the alternative press in San Diego, contributing to the OB Liberator, the print version of the OB Rag, the San Diego Door, and the San Diego Street Journal. He went on to have a 35-year career in the Hospitality business and decided to go back into raising hell when he retired. He won numerous awards for his columns from the Society of Professional Journalists in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Doug is a cancer survivor (sans vocal chords) and lives in North Park.

Comments

  2. Strikes work only after one follows another, and another. But they work. Remember the United Food Workers success, even here?

  3. They’re all going to get fired, of course. The hotel is only interested in minimizing labor costs period. Current employees figure they have some sort of vested interest in the place. They’ll get rid of them on general principles. They don’t want them to feel too comfortable in their jobs.

  4. This is messed up! What can the public do to help this cause, if just learning now– after the fact about these arrests?

    Is Tarsadia Investments owners of Hard Rock Cafe? BOYCOTTS, PICKETS, CALL THE MAYOR’S OFFICE, TARSADIA OFFICES, WHAT?!

    There is hope for some justice in “America’s Finest Plantation”, but ONLY if we back our fellow working man/woman and our new Mayor full-force. A real balance of private enterprise and public good would all fit under the same sunny San Diego sky.

    This is a horrible, black, cloud over our town. . . SHAME ON HOTELIER GLUTTONS!

    These workers and advocates are fine humans that you should aspire to become.

    • It’s not going to get better. It’s a noble cause but as John Lawrence said they’re gong to get fired. The hard and simple fact of life is that sometime doing the right thing comes with a heavy price tag. The “public” by and large can’t do anything to stop this and also keep in mind the “public” not all on the same page.

  5. ACTUALLY to ALL Einsteins on here they were ALL offered their jobs!
    First off it wasnt a strike.
    Second The “Public” DID do something about it its called standing together and voicing what’s right!
    3rd Hotel cant minimize labor costs more then what there wages are at right now which is why we are fighting to UNIONIZE this property!
    LOCAL 30 for LIFE Power to all UNIONS!

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