On September 5, Hotel workers at Boston's Battery Wharf Hotel decided to strike after months of failed contract negotiations. Their demands are for the Hotel to provide better pay, protect women against sexual harassment and assault, ensure workplace safety for immigrant workers, as well as affordable family healthcare and a fair work schedule.
October 6 marked the 30th day that the hotel workers were on strike. Organizers from hotel workers' Local 26 called the strike "the largest rally to date." Hoping to make a big statement and draw hundreds of supporters, English activist and folk singer Billy Bragg attended the strike in solidarity.
The day started out like any other strike day at Battery Wharf Hotel. Each day, workers are on strike from 7 AM to 7 PM, their picket line circling around the pick-up and drop-off area of the hotel plaza. As the afternoon continued, more strangers joined in solidarity. At the golden hour of the day, hundreds of college students, union construction workers and teachers, and Boston residents joined the ever-growing picket line.
Hotel guests attempted to walk through the picket line, sharing profanities and lewd gestures, only to be masked by the chants, "Don't check-in, check-out!" Two customers, upon seeing the protest, walked in just to cancel their reservations and check-in at a different hotel. As they left, they briefly joined the picket line chanting "we checked out!"
The picket line, still moving in its circular motion, extended nearly a quarter-mile out to Atlantic Avenue. Rally organizers then led the supporters down Hanover Street to the Paul Revere Mall. Billy Bragg, Local 26 organizers, and supporting organizers from Teamsters all gave rallying speeches. Billy Bragg then performed two pro-union songs before departing to his sold-out concert at The Cambridge Sinclair.
