Vishal P. Singh
Members of Unite Here Local 11, a union representing over 32,000 workers in hotels, restaurants, airports, sports arenas, and convention centers in California and Arizona have been striking over poor labor conditions and allegations of hotels exploiting Black workers. Nearly two months into the strike— security guards for the Fairmont Miramar hotel in Santa Monica were seen on video assaulting striking hotel workers at the picket line today.
A video of the altercation was posted by Unite Here Local 11. The union later issued an official statement reading:
"Today security officers at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica threw the hotel's very own workers to the ground in an attempt to stop them as they picketed and called on their employer to pay a living wage. UNITE HERE Local 11 strongly condemns the actions of the Fairmont Miramar and any other employer who would use violence to suppress free speech and labor picketing. Our members will not give in to bully tactics at the negotiating table or at the picket lineWe demand that the Fairmont Miramar stop using security guards to suppress their workers' right to strike, and sign a fair contract."
Santa Monica Police Department was on scene but it's unclear if any arrests were made.