March for Woodfin Workers' Backwages

In April, 2008, a judge upheld Measure C as constitutional and ruled that the City of Emeryville had the right to enforce the law. This was a huge victory for Emeryville hotel workers, and for workers around the country whose wages are bolstered by living wage ordinances. However, she also ordered changes to the way in which backwages are to be calculated for those days in which the Woodfin supposedly cannot find records. In August, the City administration re-issued a permit to the Woodfin conditional on payment of these new backwages, but in September, the Woodfin appealed this decision to the full City Council. The Council will hear that appeal on Monday, November 17th at 7 PM. 

We've picketed, marched, boycotted, and been arrested. And our fight to enforce the living wage law has won us many victories: backwages for workers at the Marriott Hotel, compliance at the Woodfin starting in fall of 2006, reinstatement of fired workers (who were later re-fired), Measure C upheld in the courts, and an example of immigrant workers fighting back that has given hope to the national immigrant rights movement. 

But we haven't come this far to give up and turn back now. We look forward to the Emeryville City Council affirming the backwages order. Once that happens, the Woodfin needs to pay up the approximately $200,000 that workers earned by the sweat of their own brow. Not in 2009, not after more court appeals. Now. Please join us (and bring about 10 of your friends!) for a march starting at 5PM at the Woodfin Suites Hotel, marching to Emeryville City Hall for a rally before the 7PM hearing begins.