The Arizona Diamondbacks upset the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card round, punching them a ticket West to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series for the second time in history.
The Dodgers are hosting the first two games of the series, along with a potential Game 5 at Dodger Stadium. With the D-Backs beginning the NLDS on the road, they have planned to stay at the JW Marriott in Downtown Los Angeles.
However, hotel workers and their union — Unite Here Local 11 — are currently on strike with no contract in place with the JW Marriott.
With the start of the NLDS approaching, the union released a statement asking the Diamondbacks to switch hotels to avoid crossing the picket line.
“We have learned that the Arizona Diamondbacks are staying at the JW Marriott L.A Live ahead of their first MLB playoff game this Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers,” the statement began. “This will be the second time the team has failed to respect a boycott of the hotel during the labor dispute at the JW Marriott.
“Workers at the JW Marriott LA Live and at multiple other hotels across the region have been fighting for a new contract since July and have participated in the largest hotel worker strike in U.S. history.
“Housekeepers, cooks, dishwashers and bellmen have called for a boycott of Los Angeles-area hotels until they win a wage that will allow them to afford to live in Los Angeles.
“The workers ask the Arizona Diamondbacks to honor their picket line and move to a hotel, like the Biltmore Los Angeles or Westin Bonaventure, that has agreed to provide a living wage. If one of the biggest sports stars in the world, Lionel Messi and InterMiami CF, can change hotels to support workers, so can they.
“In 2018, the New York Yankees ignominiously crossed a hotel worker picket line at the Ritz-Carlton in Boston. They went on to lose the series.”
The Diamondbacks seem unlikely to change their hotel plans at this juncture, and it may not be possible to make last-minute hotel bookings for a roster consisting of 26 players, taxi squad, coaching staff and other members of the club who travel with the team.
But that is something the Diamondbacks should have considered before booking the hotel to begin with as the strike has been taking place since July. They also previously crossed the same picket line in August when they came to play the Dodgers, meaning they were aware of the ongoing situation.
“When teams visit Los Angeles, they are greeted and served by hospitality workers at airports, arenas, event centers, restaurants, hotels and stadiums,” Sam Forman, an organizer for Unite Here Local 11, said. “These teams are treated with respect, and workers go out of their way to act as ambassadors for the teams who are guests to our city.
“Workers are now asking that the Diamondbacks show appreciation for the service they’ve given by honoring hotel workers’ struggle and boycotting their hotels until they have a new contract with a living wage.”
Since July, thousands of hotel workers throughout L.A. have participated in the largest hotel strike in U.S. history with workers calling for a city-wide boycott, asking tourists, businesses and other traveling groups to avoid the area.
During a labor dispute, boycott or strike, there could be 24-hour picket lines outside hotels, and in the event of a strike, there might not be anybody taking out the trash, cooking food, or cleaning.
Pregame protest
With the Diamondbacks crossing the picket lines, Unite Here Local 11 is planning a protest at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live at 7:30 a.m. PT to make their voices heard and asks Dodgers fans to support them in their efforts.
“We need to let them know this is unacceptable,” the union says. “Shame on the Diamondbacks!”
About Unite Here Local 11
The union represents over 32,000 workers employed in hotels, restaurants, airports, sports arenas, and convention centers throughout Southern California and Arizona. Their website says the strike is centered over a push for fair work conditions and a living wage.
“Since the pandemic, the region’s largest economic engine, the tourism industry, is celebrating record profits while hospitality workers are overworked, fighting to stay housed and alive,” their website says. “In 2023, workers have the opportunity to reclaim the right to live and work in their community.
“UNITE HERE Local 11 has lined up over 100 contracts to expire this year, with the goal to lift the low standards of service workers, as the city of Los Angeles prepares for the World Cup (2026) and the Olympics (2028). We are ready to welcome millions to the region, and we intend to seize the moment to ensure our place in the economic boom headed our way.”
Unite Here Local 11 also represents Dodger Stadium workers and previously negotiated a new contract with the Dodgers.
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