MTA supports job actions by the Chicago Teachers Union and Battery Wharf Hotel workers
MTA supports job actions by the Chicago Teachers Union and Battery Wharf Hotel workers
The MTA Board of Directors voted on Saturday to support the striking members of the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU Local 73, as well as striking workers at Boston’s Battery Wharf Hotel.
Chicago educators are striking for the schools that Chicago students deserve, including smaller class sizes, fair pay and benefits, fully staffed supports and school community justice that includes public goods such as affordable housing and sanctuary schools. The CTU reported “considerable movement” on issues such as class sizes and staffing on Monday, but said that remaining issues include the hiring of support staff and the length of the contract. The CTU is asking supporters to post their support for striking educators and to tag the posts with #PutItInWriting. You can also send a solidarity statement, make a contribution to the CTU’s strike fund, and add a frame to your Facebook profile picture.
In Boston, UNITE HERE Local 26 workers at the Battery Wharf Hotel have been on strike for nearly 50 days, chanting, “One job should be enough!” Ways you can help are to pledge not to attend any functions at the Battery Wharf Hotel or to make a donation to the Local 26 Strike Assistance Fund.
Among other issues, Battery Wharf is the only union hotel in Boston that has yet to agree to sexual harassment protections for workers. Striking workers are also seeking better compensation for employees and asking the hotel to pledge to support UNITE HERE Local 26’s immigration language to provide security for union hotel workers and to correct the historical discrimination of African-American workers in the hotel industry.