Community Rallies Behind Member of Union Committee Targeted with Retaliatory Actions   

San Jose, February 9, 2008: Last week, members of the community heard disturbing news that Mr. Rigoberto Gutierrez, a member of the Union Committee at Hyatt Santa Clara, where workers are struggling for a fair process to choose a union, has been targeted with retaliatory disciplinary actions. On Friday, February 6^th, a delegation of about 40 community members comprised of students, members of the clergy, women’s groups, etc. went to the hotel to express their concerns.   

            The delegation wished to convey their message to Mr. Peter Rice, the general manager of the hotel, but was not allowed to meet him. “It is unfortunate that Mr. Rice refused to meet the delegation, and this seems to indicate a deplorable lack of responsibility on the part of the hotel towards the very community where they do business, and which they claim to serve” said Anu Mandavilli from the San Jose Peace and Justice Center. The delegation saw in the hallway the Human Resources Manager and the Director of Operations of the Hyatt who also refused to admit the delegation into their offices.  

            Eric Larsen, the lay leader from the Sunnyhills United Methodist Church in Milpitas delivered the letter from the community which conveyed a strong message that retaliation against workers for exercising their right to organize is not acceptable. The letter specifically noted the unjust procedures by which Mr. Gutierrez was disciplined: “At no point did Rigoberto disobey a direct order from a supervisor or act in any way that could be interpreted as insubordinate.”  Further, the letter noted that the hotel had disciplined Rigoberto without first interviewing him, thus demonstrating that the Hotel was “not interested in an unbiased and proper investigation of the incident”.   

            Pastor John Freesemann from the Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church advised the management that the community was aware of the injustice, would continue to monitor the situation, and demanded that the "final written warning" which was without merit be removed from Mr. Gutierrez’s record. The delegation represented a variety of groups, including Chinese for Affirmative Action, Comite Cesar Chavez, youth group Debug, Drywall Lathers Union 9144, congregants from the Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rev. Rebecca Kuiken from the Interfaith Council, Pride at Work, SAHE (Student Advocates for Higher Education), the San Jose Peace & Justice Center, SEIU 715 Retirees, SOL-California, South Bay Labor Council, and WILPF. Members of the Community plan to pursue the issue until the unjust disciplinary action is reversed.