Hotel Bel-Air reopens to protest by activists, ex-union workers (LA Times)

[struggle4progress]

Arriving guests are greeted by about 300 protesters, including Occupy L.A. demonstrators and former Unite Here Local 11 workers laid off when the iconic hotel in West L.A. closed for a renovation in 2009.
By Hugo Martín, Los Angeles Times

October 15, 2011

After a two-year renovation, the iconic Hotel Bel-Air in West Los Angeles reopened to a spirited protest by about 300 activists and former union workers who were laid off when construction began in 2009 and were never rehired.

As guests arrived, they were greeted by the demonstration Friday afternoon organized by Unite Here Local 11, whose leaders contended the hotel used the multimillion-dollar upgrade to force union workers out. The union activists were joined by protesters from Occupy L.A., who rode two buses from downtown Los Angeles, where they have been demonstrating against corporate greed.

Police said the loud but peaceful protest drew about 300 activists carrying signs and shouting outside the hotel entrance. Later the protesters moved to nearby Sunset Boulevard, where Unite Here International President John Wilhelm addressed the crowd. "It's the workers who made this hotel a five-star hotel," the labor leader said. "For these people to be laid off, there's something dreadfully wrong in America." ...

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hotel-protest-20111015,0,2139686.story