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.

Table 2 (poem)

“…Sustained / by statisticians, I am a maker / of passionless tables that summarize / in numbers the reasoned philosophy / of this well-ordered State’s philosopher-kings.” A poem for National Poetry Month. Continue reading

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Anatomy of an Epidemic: Book review

An extensive review by Ptery of Robert Whitaker’s book Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America, with a personal history.

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Hotel Workers Picket during Fur Rondy (press release)

The Hotel Workers Rising campaign is a national campaign for decent working conditions and wages for hotel workers. Press Release February 27, 2010 Contact: Amarjeet Chhabra, UNITE HERE Local 878 907-272-6036 (wk) or 416-856-9587 (cell) Hotel Workers Picket during Fur … Continue reading

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

“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.

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

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.

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Sheraton Anchorage illegally fires four workers

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.

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Anchorage & homelessness

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?

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In solidarity with Hilton workers

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.

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

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.

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Hotel Workers Rising March: Today!

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.

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