Hotel Housekeeper Says She Was Suspended After Activism [Updated]

We also have a site set up where you can email the GM at Hyatt and ask not to fire her: http://afl.salsalabs.com/o/5872/c/514/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4026


http://www.buzzfeed.com/annanorth/hotel-housekeeper-suspended-after-fighting-for-her

Anna North
BuzzFeed Staff

Morena Hernandez is a hotel worker in Los Angeles who was active in protests for women's and workers' rights. Now she's been mysteriously suspended — and she could be fired.

Hernandez has worked at Hyatt's Andaz hotel in West Hollywood for 15 years. On March 19, she was suspended — meaning she could be about to lose her job. The reason the hotel gave had something to do with improper room cleaning procedure, but she says she did nothing wrong. Her version of events:

That day, I noticed the carpet in the room was dirty, so I requested a shampoo – a procedure that requires another employee and extra time. I then went into the bathroom and noticed the guest had been sick because he left quite a mess in the toilet. I sprayed down the toilet, and while the cleaner penetrated, I went on to start cleaning the next room. I marked the room as “unfinished” in the hotel’s electronic tracking system.

Her statement is a reminder of the unpleasant things hotel workers have to deal with — but did the Andaz really suspend her for improper handling of vomit? Or did they object to her activism?

Leigh Shelton, a representative for hotel workers' union UNITE HERE Local 11, says Hernandez has long been a top leader for workers' rights. She's spoken to community groups and women's groups on behalf of the union, and met with clergy and elected officials. She's testified before the National Labor Relations Board, and she participated in a weeklong strike last fall protesting excessive housekeeper workloads.


Hernandez (left) leafletting in front of the Andaz.

FULL story at link.