After Four Year Battle, Woodfin Throws In The Towel

The People Of Emeryville Prove Stronger Than Woodfin

The former workers at the Woodfin Suite Hotel today have announced their four year fight to get the hotel to pay their back wages and honor Measure C, the will of the people of Emeryville, is over. Today EBASE, the workers, Unite Here 2850, and the Woodfin announced a settlement agreement which puts an end to this conflict and protects Measure C, the 2005 voter passed 'living wage for hotel workers'. Sam Hartage, the San Diego billionaire owner of the hotel chain who for four years made every effort, legal and otherwise, to not pay the workers their back wages as the Emeryville ordinance requires, has now agreed to pay up.

The East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE), an Oakland based organization concerned with building social and economic justice for workers, the hotel workers representitives Unite Here 2850 and Woodfin jointly released the following press statement:

Woodfin Suite Hotels and EBASE today announced that a settlement had been reached in the litigation between Woodfin, the City of Emeryville, and the workers assisted by EBASE over claims related to Emerville's Measure C, an ordinance setting labor standards for Emervyville hotels. Workers during the time period in question will be receiving claim forms in the mail in order to participate in the settlement. EBASE and UNITE HERE 2850 has called off its boycott activities. The parties praised mediator William Cahill and each other for bringing the long-running dispute to an end.

And here's what worker leader Luz had to say:

"We are very proud to have fought for living wages and immigrant rights, and we are very happy with this agreement. To all who have supported us during these four years: thank you so much!"