Woodfin Campaign Update

Two years after the passage of Measure C, Emeryville hotel workers are still struggling to win the rights – and the money – that the ordinance was supposed to guarantee them. It's been a long fight, but the East Bay Alliance for Sustainable Economy (EBASE) and its inspiring network of community allies are standing with the workers and finding new ways to push the Woodfin Hotel to do the right thing.

On the legal front, the City of Emeryville is suing the Woodfin for refusing to pay back wages to the workers and fines to the City. Meanwhile, the Woodfin has filed a counter-suit claiming that Measure C is illegal and that the City Council has treated the hotel unfairly. Both cases were heard in Alameda County Superior Court on February 27th. EBASE is confident that the judge will rule in favor of the workers and the City and expect a ruling by May. EBASE will continue to work with the City of Emeryville to move the case forward and avoid further delays. In the meantime, workers, community allies, and EBASE organizers are reaching out to Woodfin clients to educate them about the situation and urge them to honor the boycott and continuing to organize frequent marches and pickets outside the Woodfin. By timing these actions during special events or while major clients are in the hotel, the effectiveness of the boycott can be maximized.

EBASE is also linking the Woodfin struggle to the broader movement for immigrant workers' rights, building local networks to defend workers against similar attacks in the future, and training the Woodfin housekeepers to be leaders and spokespeople for all migrant workers.