Sexual Violence and Abuse in The Hotel Industry

Source: Labor Notes

Richard Mellor

Afscme Local 444, retired

HEO/GED

I sent this letter to the NYT in response to an Op-Ed article by Sarah Leonard in 2017 (see below). I can't understand why the paper didn't print it (lol). One of the things that gave me the urge to write it was a housekeeper (we used to call them maids) in a motel I was staying in and who I got in a discussion with. She told me about the numerous sexual advances she had to fend off cleaning rooms. “Sometimes men came to the door naked”, she told me. Her and other workers that clean motel rooms have told me similar stories. It's hard to complain when you have no collective voice, especially if you are an immigrant, or worse, an undocumented worker who are some of the most exploited among us.

And, folks might remember the African housekeeper who claimed she was raped by former World Bank head Dominique Strauss-Kahn. As is always the case, women who accuse powerful men in particular of rape, have their whole sexual history made public in order to discredit them. If I recall, she eventually settled out of court. But that’s not enough, we have to have a means to fight back and change the situation.

 

I pointed out to the young woman from El Salvador that I was talking to, as I have with others and am here again, the importance of organizing as it gives us collective strength and also a voice, or a vehicle through we can fight back

 

I mentioned unions and how important they were and so on, she wished she had one she said. I remember our clause in our union contract that we used all the time in discrimination cases., The so-called Affirmative Action office was not much good at all infighting discrimination. Having a union changes things and, in most cases, a bad union is better than no union. So I sent our discrimination clause to the NYT.

 

Here’s my letter:

" Re “Want to stop Predators? Organize.” Sarah Leaonard Op-Ed article, NY Times November 17th.

Thank you for your article of the above title and date. I enclose for your readers’ information three clauses from my union contract of 1985. My union is Local 444. American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees. 

Article 4. No Discrimination/Harassment.

4.1.1. There shall be no discrimination of any kind by the union or the district (management) against any employee, to the extent the applicable law prohibits such discrimination, harassment, or disparate treatment, because of race, religion, color, creed, age, marital status, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, physical or mental disability.

4.2. Harassment, Disparate Treatment and Inappropriate Behavior

4.2.1 In addition to behavior violative of Section 4.1.1 above the following behavior will not be permitted, tolerated or condoned:

Abusive, threatening or intimidating behavior, gestures or language.

Richard Mellor. Retired Equipment Operator and Shop Steward Afscme Local 444. Editor Facts For Working People Blog.