Last week, Interfaith Worker Justice and other religious leaders joined the AFL-CIO, the NFL Players Association, the National Organization of Women and both union and non-union Hyatt Hotel workers to launch “Hyatt Hurts,” a global boycott of Hyatt Hotels. Joining in the long tradition of
religious support for workers’ rights, IWJ has taken an active role in this fight, leading delegations of workers in meetings with hotel managers and organizing prayer vigils inside and outside hotels. “Faith communities want our money to align with our values, which is why Interfaith Worker Justice
supports the Hyatt Global Boycott,” IWJ executive director Kim Bobo explained.
The boycott comes as a response to a long list of grievances against Hyatt. The company is said to be subcontracting workers, firing longtime staff members in favor of others who will work for less, and failing to protect its employees. In 2011, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) leveled $100,000 worth of penalties against the nationwide chain, citing 18 regulation violations.
To learn more about the Hyatt Hurts and to hear the human stories behind the boycott, visit hyatthurts.org.
