Call it labor unrest summer? Unionized journalists across the Northwest at McClatchy Media went on a one-day strike over AI policy, union employees at acclaimed restaurant the Walrus and the Carpenter are willing to strike, and today unionized hotel workers at the Hilton’s Embassy Suites in Pioneer Square are voting to authorize a strike. The union is collecting votes until 6 p.m. this evening.

The contract between management and the 113 unionized Embassy Suites employees expired on May 31. Today, workers—represented by Unite Here Local 8, a hospitality union—are expected to vote to authorize a work stoppage, and give leadership the ability to call a strike at any time. Seattle’s World Cup games kick off at Lumen Field in less than two weeks, steps away from Embassy Suites. 

The main issues at play are health insurance, pay—Hilton’s current offer amounts to a less than $1 per hour raise on average over the next five years—and a proposal, so far rejected by Hilton, that management tell employees when ICE or DHS is on the property. 

“As a brown woman, I know ICE does not care whether you are a US citizen,” Dom Kaur, a front desk agent, said in a press release. “What they are doing goes against my core moral beliefs. My dad needed asylum and as a lawyer now helps others. It is wrong for our bosses to sit there and say they cannot do anything about it.” 

ICE concerns are heightened because the agency may be on hand at Lumen during the World Cup. A majority of the staff are people of color or immigrants, says Victoria Davidson, a public area attendant at Embassy Suites. “ICE will have a presence because of FIFA, and it’s not OK for people to be afraid to come to work,” Davidson says.

Hilton did not respond before press time. An automatic email from the US press office said that it was “currently closed” on Friday afternoon.

If the union strikes, Davidson anticipates that managers would initially do the jobs of unionized workers, and then Hilton would turn to temp staffing agencies to recruit scabs. Even though the hotel would remain open, the union believes that a strike during the World Cup would cause enough problems for hotel operations that workers have a lot of leverage at this moment. 

“This is not going to happen again for at least 25 to 30 years,” Davidson says of the World Cup matches, “and we’re the only hotel that’s right here.” 

Related

June is here, and with these long summer days, that means plenty of daylight to soak up the sun and get out and have some fun!

There are plenty of Seattle-area weekend events to start your summer.

Pride month is here

June is Pride month, and it is the first weekend of celebrations, including Pride in the Park on Capitol Hill. This annual kickoff event will have everything you need, including live music and performances, over 80 booths of vendors and non-profits, food trucks, and a nonstop dance floor going throughout the day. Pride in the Park is Saturday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Volunteer Park and is free to attend.

Saturday in Bellevue is the Paws and Pride Dog Walk, which is a one-mile walk for people and pups to celebrate the start of Pride. Make sure you and your dog come dressed to impress during the RuPaw’s Dog costume contest with awards for creativity, best in show, and matching looks. After the walk, you can enjoy food trucks and booths from local vendors, a beer and mimosa garden for those of age, and live entertainment. Paws and Pride is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bellevue Downtown Park.

It is one of my favorite weekends of the year in Tacoma, something I have done just about every year that I have lived here in Washington. It is the Northwest Pinball and Arcade show, and it is a weekend full of high-stakes pinball action and hundreds of other games that are all free to play with your ticket. The Northwest Pinball and Arcade show is not only a great event for you and the family, but also acts as an interactive museum that ranges from original wooden pinball machines to the latest and greatest in the world of pinball. There are also workshops, panel discussions, tournaments, and lots more. The Northwest Pinball and Arcade show runs Friday through Sunday at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Kids under 12 get in free, but will still need to check in for a ticket.

Seattle-area weekend events include dance, festivals

The Seattle International Dance Festival begins this weekend, bringing dance companies from around the world, including Africa, Asia, and North America, to the Broadway Performance Hall on Capitol Hill. According to the event’s website, this is a rare opportunity to see the scope of contemporary dance and the impact the art form has across the globe. The Seattle International Dance Festival begins Saturday and runs through the weekend.

The Festál series continues at the Seattle Center Armory this weekend with the Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival. Learn about the culture, people, food, fashion, and plenty more during this free event on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be a variety of performances highlighting the music, dances, and culture of the Philippines to enjoy throughout the weekend. The fun starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Fishing, hiking, and car shows round out the weekend

If you want to get out on the water this weekend to try to hook the big one, it is Free Fishing Weekend. That means fishing licenses are not required to fish for many fish species in Washington. You will still need a license to fish for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, and all shellfish, but the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said it will be a great weekend to fish for Rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and plenty more. Get more details from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. In addition to free fishing, it is also a Discovery Pass free weekend, meaning you will not need a Discovery Pass to get out this weekend.

As you might have heard on “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio, Friday night at Pacific Raceways in Kent is the All High School Drags and Car Show. There will be a variety of races, ranging from student races to alumni and instructors, giving you a chance to experience what we were told is one of the best family-friendly entertainment options around. According to the event’s website, all you need is a car that makes it from the starting line to the finish line. There will also be a chance to race the King County Sheriffs on the track and plenty of classic cars on display during the car show. The 55th Annual Green River College High School Drags and Car Show is tonight at Pacific Raceways, with gates opening at 4 p.m.

What’s on your summer to-do list? Let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com.