On the 12th anniversary of September 11, 2001, UNITE HERE remembers all those who lost their lives on that tragic day. We hold especially close the memory of our 43 sisters and brothers from UNITE HERE Local 100 who died while working at Windows on the World, a restaurant located at the top of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
In memory of our fallen brothers and sisters at Windows on the World.
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, the AFL-CIO and Union Plus have established a scholarship fund for union members and their spouses, children, and grandchildren. The Dreams of Jobs and Freedom Scholarships are available for the 2013-14 academic year, and applications are due by July 1. For more information and application materials, go here.
Our coalition of labor, community organizations, and faith leaders has joined forces in supporting three main principles:
1) A Pathway to Citizenship for aspiring American citizens. 2) Keeping our families together. 3) Defending workplace rights and improving standards for all workers.
Nevadans support immigration reform, and the Time is NOW for congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Join us!
If you would like to march with the Culinary Union wear a red shirt!
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LAS VEGAS MAY DAY COALITION GROUPS
Nevada State AFL-CIO,
Culinary Union 226,
Laborer's Union 872, LiUNA
Painter's Union District 15, IUPAT
United Steelworkers of Nevada, USW
Service Employees International Union Local 1107, SEIU
Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Union 162,
Mi Familia Vota, MFV
Nevada Alliance of Retired Americans, NARA
Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, PLAN
DREAM Big Vegas, DBV
National Council of La Raza, NCLR
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, APALA
Hermandad Mexicana Las Vegas
Immigration Reform for Nevada, IRN
National Federation of Filipino American Associations, NAFFAA,
It is a tremendous honor to accept the Champions of Change Award because the life and work of Cesar Chavez inspires me every day. Chavez's legacy continues on in the hundreds of thousands of workers who come together to demand justice. I am proud to call these men and women my union sisters and brothers.
When staying at a hotel, most people don't think about the housekeeper who made their bed, the kitchen worker who cleaned their plate, or the cook who prepared their meal. UNITE HERE has worked for decades to ensure these “invisible workers” and their basic needs – good healthcare, decent wages and job security -are not overlooked. The union has provided thousands of people the opportunity to provide better lives for themselves and their families. In Las Vegas, the Culinary Workers Local 226 has helped build the city's middle class. The union has focused on empowering its members to win their contracts and ultimately their future.
However, the work of the labor movement goes beyond the workplace. My work is centered on ensuring workers have a strong voice in their communities. I was lucky to land in Las Vegas as a neighborhood organizer during the 2010 elections. For most of five months, I spent every day knocking on doors and talking to voters in predominantly Latino neighborhoods. This gave me a clear understanding of local issues facing Las Vegans, including a weak education system and lackluster housing market. In my time at the union, I have been able to work with members and tackle these challenges head on.
During the 2011 Legislative session, Local 226 founded an organization called Nevada Students Unite Here. I directed a campaign to support education funding and prevent budget cuts. Our campaign led to over 8,000 contacts with students, parents, and union members who were deeply concerned with the issues. Ultimately, by working with community and political allies, we were able to guarantee that devastating cuts were not made to the education budget. It was tremendously empowering to represent our members and their families on such an important issue. As the Legislature convenes again this year, I am working on helping to pass legislation that protects underwater homeowners. I’m also focused on bills that will improve the quality of care in Nevada’s healthcare system.
The most important work I’m doing involves union members and immigration reform. As the daughter of immigrants, it is tremendously important for me that comprehensive reform be made a reality. It is easy to understand why UNITE HERE has been at the forefront of the immigration debate. My union represents workers from more than 100 countries. In Vegas alone there are workers from 84 nations. These members came in search of a better future; one with good jobs and opportunities for their families. Ten years ago, my union organized the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride as part of a national campaign for comprehensive reform. We have stood by the DREAMers, hosted DACA application fairs, and will do whatever it takes to support the Administration’s push for reform. I have the privilege of speaking to workers about the issue and mobilizing them into action.
Cesar Chavez envisioned a world where all workers, regardless of their job or nationality could have dignity in the workplace. By training union members to be leaders at work and in their communities, I believe UNITE HERE is making Chavez’s vision a reality.