The labor unrest at the NBCUniversal campus in Southern California continues as Sheraton Universal, which is located near the primary gate of NBCUniversal, is now facing allegations of retaliating against its workers for participating in protests. Unite Here Local 11, the hospitality union currently staging walkouts, has filed an unfair labor practices charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on August 18, claiming that the hotel has taken disciplinary actions against 16 employees as punishment for picketing.
According to Unite Here, Sheraton Universal management has engaged in unlawful surveillance of employees, made threats to discourage them from participating in protests, and even demanded immigration-related documents from worker leaders in an act of retaliation for their protected concerted activities. Sheraton Universal, which is owned by Shenzhen New World Group, declined to provide any comments. Earlier this year, the firm, along with its billionaire owner, Wei Huang, was sentenced in a public corruption case involving the bribing of former Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar. The company was sentenced to five years of probation for fraud and bribery, while Huang, who is believed to be in China, remains a fugitive.
Unite Here has been actively supporting the Hollywood unions in their strike, announcing that it would help enforce the production shutdown. The union launched its historic work stoppage in early July, with approximately 15,000 members, including housekeepers, dishwashers, and bellmen, demanding higher wages, more affordable health insurance, a ban on discrimination based on immigration status, and other considerations.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA also filed NLRB complaints against NBCUniversal in July. They accused the studio of impeding their members’ right to picket and compromising their safety by obstructing the public sidewalk in front of the lot. Additionally, a city agency cited NBCUniversal for illegal sidewalk tree pruning, which the guilds believed was intentionally done to eliminate shade amid a summer heatwave. NBCUniversal denies any wrongdoing and has since partially restored the footpaths.
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Both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA did not respond to requests for comment regarding the situation at Sheraton Universal. However, members of both unions demonstrated solidarity by attending a rally on August 17 in support of Unite Here workers who are employed as commissary workers at NBCUniversal.
The ongoing labor disputes at NBCUniversal highlight a growing trend of unions standing together to fight for better working conditions, fair wages, and employee rights. The involvement of multiple unions across different industries demonstrates the solidarity and determination of workers to secure better treatment in the workplace. As the strike continues, it remains to be seen how the various labor issues will be resolved and what impact it will have on the entertainment industry as a whole.
In conclusion, Unite Here Local 11 has accused Sheraton Universal, located close to the NBCUniversal campus, of retaliating against its workers for participating in protests. The union has filed an unfair labor practices charge with the NLRB, alleging surveillance, threats, and retaliation against workers. This labor dispute adds to the ongoing unrest at NBCUniversal, where the WGA and SAG-AFTRA have also filed complaints against the studio. These incidents highlight the growing trend of unions coming together to fight for better working conditions and employee rights. As the strike continues, the industry will be watching closely to see how these issues are resolved and what impact it will have on the future of labor relations in Hollywood.
