Remembering 9/11: The Effect on Local 25

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Remembering 9/11: The Effect on Local 25(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)by John A. Boardman
       When the images of the towers appeared on TV on the morning of 9/11 and we watched the smoke billowing out of the Pentagon we had no idea what was ahead.  Our immediate concern was for the members who worked in the cafeterias at the Pentagon.  We didn’t know that all of them were safe until late that evening when our shop stewards were finally able to call in. That was the only good news we would have for many months to come.
      What happened immediately after the attack on the Pentagon was the worst crisis to hit members of Local 25 in the more than 70 years our union has existed in Washington. More than 80% of our members in DC hotels were out of work for the first five months after 9/11. Business started to pick up after that, but very slowly; people were still afraid to travel to DC. We did not return to anywhere near normal work levels for a full eighteen months and during that period any little thing could cause workers to be out of work. For example, the first time the new “Threat Level Index” went up a notch we lost 21,000 room nights and two major banquets within one hour.
      With so many members out of work, Local 25 converted to a “survival mode” operation to help our members. We worked hard with the Metro Washington Council to get unemployment extension legislation passed. We set up and ran food banks, ultimately giving away more than 120,000 pounds of food. Our staff was trained on how to negotiate with landlords and banks on rent and mortgage payments. It was a very tough time and most of our membership suffered terribly, but we made it through. We made it because of the help and generosity of lots of good people and caring organizations like the Community Services Agency.  Ultimately, we made it because our members took care of one another. That’s real solidarity.
Boardman is Executive Secretary-Treasurer of Unite Here Local 25, whose members work in the metro-area hospitality industry. This is part of a series about the local impact of the 9/11 attacks on the metro DC labor community. We welcome your memories and comments at streetheat@dclaborarchives.org photo: Boardman (at right) and Hyatt workers at a 2010 negotiating session; photo by Jayson Harrison.

 

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