Clean Air Joins Hyatt Workers United in Solidarity

Clean Air yesterday attended the kick-off rally for the boycott of the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Buffalo, called for by Hyatt Workers United.

Below are remarks that Chris made during the press conference at the rally, as well as some photos of the event.

Good morning and thanks to everyone who has come out in this gloomy Monday weather. No Bills win but no loss either to make us sad. Sabres have won 2 in a row though! I would like to thank Hyatt Workers United for inviting us to speak and also their interest in extending solidarity to environmental justice campaigns that are the core of our mission.

I am Chris Murawski, Executive Director of the Clean Air Coalition of WNY. Our mission is to organize and develop community leaders to run and win Env Justice and public health campaigns.

As a part of the city of good neighbors, Clean Air is proud to stand with Hyatt Workers United and support the call to boycott the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. Why may an environmental group want to be involved in this you may ask?

We have a long history of standing in solidarity with labor and many of our members are working class folks that work in the healthcare, trades or service industries.

Also it is in both our best interests to be united as we both have shared goals of protecting the health and well -being of working people and the planet. We both want a future where economic and environmental policies are designed to benefit working class people.

We are not just standing up with our words but also actions. Clean Air is a member of NY Energy Democracy Alliance, a statewide coalition of grassroots groups working to fight for a just sustainable energy system in NY.

In August the group was planning to hold an annual conference in Buffalo and had reserved facilities at the Hyatt to host the meeting. At the time they were unaware of any Union busting activity.

Based on hearing from Luke and Mel and other workers throughout the summer about the situation with the union, we advised EDA to cancel the reservations and postpone the meeting at the Hyatt in solidarity which they did.

It’s just one example of how the community can stand with workers. We also call on other community groups to join us in solidarity in this boycott. If any groups are involved in the planning or hosting of convenings or conferences, stand with us and reconsider choosing the Hyatt and let them know why.

Clean Air is also a member of several national coalitions such as US Climate Action Network and Gulf South To Appalachia Convening which both host large conferences every year with over 300 asistentes.

Their policies are to book their meetings at facilities with Union workforces only period. Last conference we were booked at the Westin in Downtown Pittsburgh and we all made a point of telling the workers we appreciated their hospitality and chose the facility because of the union.

So if we ever want to host any of these groups here in Buffalo and bring those dollars and recognition to our community we will need these Hyatt workers to get a contract.

So to be clear we will continue to support the boycott of the Hyatt until Douglas Jemal stops Union busting, settles with the union and negotiates a fair contract in good faith.