Apparently there is a rumor that our negotiating committee crossed a picket line at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago last week. To be clear, we did not cross the line! We found out about the strike the night before the one day strike was to take place. Clacy Griswold our Chief Negotiator immediately called the Company to inform them that negotiations would not take place at the Palmer House the next day. Arrangements were made to meet at the law offices of Seyfarth Shaw several blocks from the hotel. We also worked with Officers and Stewards of UniteHere Local 1 asking them what kind of support they would like from us. We were asked to man the picket line with the members from Local 1 the next morning. Every member of the Committee walked the line for over an hour prior to the beginning of negotiations on the 16th. We were unable to return to the line later in the day as Local 1 finished at 8:30pm and we were negotiating lo
ng after their line went down. The hotel workers thanked many of us the morning of the 17th for our support and show of solidarity. I hope this helps to clear up the rumor that is to the contrary.In addition Here is a link to the press release and a video in which you can see a quick shot of Ramon Gonzalez from Denver as well as Clacy Griswold walking the line. There were three entrances to the hotel and rest of the committee walked the line at different entrances.
