Congress Plaza Hotel Workers Still on Strike After Over 7 Years

When the Weird Chicago tour bus came to a stop at the Congress Plaza Hotel, located at 520 S. Michigan Ave., guests were greeted with more than just ghost stories and Chicago landmarks. Four Congress Plaza Hotel workers circled back and forth in front of the hotel doorways with signs that said, "Unfair No Union Contract, Unite Here! Local 1" and "On Strike Unite Here Local 1" on them.

After six and a half years, one of the workers, Maria G. Hernandez, said. "The union made a decision, but they haven't told us. We'll stop when the union says something."

According to Hernandez, there are 70 workers on strike in total, and their shifts are from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Workers on strike include housekeeping, kitchen, restaurant and banquet hall staff.

"I want benefits," said Hernandez, who stopped to sit down with her group for a snack break. "We'll stop this strike when we get medical benefits."

Other workers nodded in agreement. So Congress Plaza Hotel workers wouldn't think they'd gone home for the day, they stuck signs in garbage cans in front of the hotel and eyed them until their break was complete.

"This is the longest strike ever," said Erica Behringer, the Weird Chicago tour guide. "They leave when it rains, but then they come back again."
This entry was originally published by the Chicago News & Events Examiner.