Accusing the Hotel Employer Labor Relations Association representing Chicago-area hotel managers of failing to make serious attempts to reach a compromise over the past week of negotiations (see WIT for July 25, 2002), the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Local 1 yesterday called for a vote to give them the power to call a strike. Although votes were still being counted last night, most officials expected the vote to pass as thousands of cheering members attended large meetings at which Local 1 President Henry Tamarin informed them that they would all receive $200 per week in strike pay if a walkout was necessary. In addition to its strike fund, the union has been stockpiling food at a pantry it has set up, and has secured the support of community groups and other unions in what looks like a potentially bruising fight to bring workers? pay up to the levels prevailing among hotel workers in New York City.
See STEPHEN FRANKLIN, Chicago Tribune, August 12, 2002