Category Archives: Social justice

This is a catch all category for social justice issues specifically in Alaska, and also more widely. Right now one of my chief topics is the struggle of workers at the Hilton Anchorage Hotel for a fair contract with the hotel’s unionbuster owners, Kentucky-based Columbia Sussex.

Hotel Workers Picket during Fur Rondy (press release)

By the blogosphere | Published: Saturday, 27 February 2010

UNITE HERE Local 878 is picketing during Anchorage Fur Rendezvous to ask Anchorage residents and visitors to honor worker-sponsored boycotts of the Anchorage Hilton & Sheraton hotels.

Also posted in Guest blogger | Tagged Ashford Hospitality, Columbia Sussex, Fur Rondy, Hilton Anchorage, hotel workers, press release, Remington Hotels, Sheraton Anchorage, UNITE HERE Local 878 | Leave a comment

Sheraton Anchorage update: Governor’s Safety and Health Conference cancels agreement

By Mel | Published: Monday, 22 February 2010

"The labor situation at the Anchorage Sheraton has resulted in an unacceptable risk to the success of the Governor's Safety and Health Conference" - per a letter canceling the State's agreement with the hotel.

Posted in Social justice | Tagged Ashford Hospitality, boycott, Denis Artiles, Governor's Safety Conference, hotel workers, Remington Hotels, Sheraton Anchorage, UNITE HERE Local 878 | Leave a comment

Press conference Friday on illegal firing of four Sheraton Anchorage workers (press release)

By the blogosphere | Published: Thursday, 18 February 2010

UNITE HERE Local 878 will hold a press conference at 12:15 PM outside the 4th & F Street offices of the National Labor Relations Board to discuss the Sheraton Anchorage's illegal firing of four rank & file members for engaging in protected union activity.

Also posted in Guest blogger | Tagged hotel workers, press release, Remington Hotels, Sheraton Anchorage, UNITE HERE Local 878 | 1 Comment

Sheraton Anchorage illegally fires four workers

By Mel | Published: Wednesday, 17 February 2010

The Sheraton Anchorage has illegally fired four workers for engaging in protected union activity. The Sheraton is one of two hotels -- the other being the Anchorage Hilton -- under boycott for unfair labor practices & refusal to bargain in good faith.

Posted in Social justice | Tagged Columbia Sussex, Hilton Anchorage, hotel workers, Remington Hotels, Sheraton Anchorage, UNITE HERE Local 878 | 1 Comment

Anchorage & homelessness

By Marcia Barnes | Published: Wednesday, 21 October 2009

A guest post from my friend Marcia Barnes: Is rousting people from camps, with no plans about where they can otherwise go, the best way to address homelessness in Anchorage?

Also posted in Guest blogger | Tagged homelessness, Marcia Barnes | 2 Comments

In solidarity with Hilton workers

By Mel | Published: Thursday, 1 October 2009

Hotel Workers Rising March in Anchorage on September 30 (photos & slidehow), with some history of Hilton Anchorage owner Columbia Sussex and its CEO, Bill Yung; plus, the physical toll of cleaning 17 rooms a day.

Posted in Social justice | Tagged Columbia Sussex, crossposted, Hilton Anchorage, hotel workers, unions, UNITE HERE Local 878 | 2 Comments

True Diversity Dinner video, part 3: Hotel workers, & Elvi’s speech

By Mel | Published: Thursday, 1 October 2009

Part 3 of Janson Jones' video of the September 25 True Diversity Dinner in Anchorage includes Hilton hotel workers protesting outside the Mayor's Unity Dinner, and the speech of Assembly Member Elvi Gray-Jackson.

Also posted in True Diversity Dinner | Tagged Elvi Gray-Jackson, Hilton Anchorage, hotel workers, Janson Jones, lgbtq, Mayor's Unity Dinner, True Diversity Dinner 2009, unions, UNITE HERE Local 878, video | Leave a comment

Hotel Workers Rising March: Today!

By Mel | Published: Wednesday, 30 September 2009

Workers at the Anchorage Hilton have been fighting for a fair contract since August 2008 , when their last contract expired, but management is intent on union-busting. Show your support for these workers and their families as they march today at 4:30.

Posted in Social justice | Tagged Hilton Anchorage, hotel workers, unions, UNITE HERE Local 878 | Leave a comment

True Diversity Dinner 1 & 2: Video by Janson Jones

By Mel | Published: Tuesday, 29 September 2009

Parts 1 & 2 of video coverage of the September 25, 2009 True Diversity Dinner in Anchorage by Janson Jones of Floridana Alaskiana v2.5. Part 1 includes background on the summer 2009 fight for the Anchorage equal rights ordinance AO 2009-64; part 2 is a montage of Janson's photos of the dinner.