ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
More than 100 people rallied against the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel Downtown Thursday, led by the national AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. It's part of an ongoing dispute between hotel management and employees that dates back two years.Part of Denali Street was filled with protesters who made their way around the Sheraton, staging a rally after marching along 5th Avenue in protest. They started at the Hotel Captain Cook and made their way to the Sheraton, all to send a message that they are continuing the fight for good jobs, health care and respect.
The Sheraton says the union representing the Sheraton’s workers, UNITE HERE 878, is demanding, and also claims that death threats have been made against hotel manager Denis Artiles.
According to one worker, the disputes have created a division among employees. Artiles says more than 65 percent of hotel workers signed a petition that they no longer want to be represented by the union.
Protestors say they're continuing a boycott against both the Sheraton and the Anchorage Hilton, while the Sheraton says it's confident that the National Labor Relations Board will rule in its favor in a complaint against the hotel.
Contact Christine Kim at ckim@ktuu.com
