Labor Day Holiday Used to Show the Need to Take Back Our Waterfront

Take Back Our Waterfront

By Anthony Saavedra

More than 250 union members used their Labor Day holiday to demand that waterfront business create good jobs and an economy that works for all.

Gathering and marching just steps from the front door of the notoriously anti-union Manchester Grand Hyatt, the labor allies urged the community to take back the waterfront from business that take advantage of the community for profit.

Members, community supports and elected officials in attendance called for responsible development on San Diego Bay, protection of the industrial working waterfront against the failed effort to redevelop the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal and the respect of employers in all sectors to offer workers sustainable wages and to recognize employees’ right to organize.

Highlighted during the rally were Proposition B, which if passed would have allowed a private developer to build on land that is now the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal, and the plight of workers at the Manchester Grand Hyatt.

At the request of UNITE-HERE Local 30, the Labor Council has sanctioned a boycott of the Manchester Grand Hyatt.  The upscale hotel is known for its questionable tactics in fighting against the organization of its employees, and their employees’ harsh working conditions.

Hotel workers at the Manchester Grand Hyatt are required to clean up to 30 rooms a day, compared to about 14 to 16 rooms at union hotels. 

To demonstrate the time and work it takes to properly maintain a clean room, several hotel workers made make-shift beds on the sidewalk with the assistance of elected officials in attendance.

Longshoremen in attendance kicked off the fight against Proposition B by speaking about the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal’s economic impact on the community, including the thousands of  jobs which allow them to own a home, send their children to college and retire in dignity.

Speaking on behalf of waterfront workers were several elected officials and community leaders, including Assemblywoman Lori Saldana, Chula Vista City Councilman Steve Castaneda, San Diego City Councilman-elect Todd Gloria and Marty Block, who was elected to the State Assembly on November 4.