FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 25, 2021

Contacts: Jake Lewis

jlewis@chicagolabor.org

312-394-0867

CHICAGO FEDERATION OF LABOR STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF HOTEL WORKER RIGHT TO RETURN TO WORK ORDINANCE

CHICAGO – Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter released the following statement regarding the unanimous passage of the Hotel Worker Right to Return to Work Ordinance by the Chicago City Council:

“The Hotel Worker Right to Return to Work Ordinance means a fair shot for thousands of hospitality workers to return to their jobs and begin to heal the economic damage caused by the crisis. Together, we must ensure this recovery is an equitable recovery, especially for those who bore the brunt of the economic pain. The Hotel Worker Right to Return Ordinance is a giant step towards a fair recovery for thousands of Chicago workers.

“This city cannot and will not turn its back on the workers who sacrificed everything during the pandemic. Everyone from every single neighborhood must be part of the recovery. Together with the Chi Biz Strong Ordinance passed today, the minimum wage increase that takes effect next week, and the Fair Workweek Ordinance, Chicago is taking significant steps to support its labor force, bolster its middle class, and ensure we remain the most pro-worker city in the nation.

“There is, of course, much more work to do. We are still at the beginning of a long road to recovery, and countless Chicagoans are still feeling the pain of the crisis. But today is a good day for thousands of workers in the hospitality industry, a day to celebrate as we rebuild a stronger, more resilient, more vibrant Chicago.”

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The Chicago Federation of Labor is the third-largest central labor council of the AFL-CIO representing nearly 300 unions and labor organizations comprised of over half a million union members in Chicago and Cook County.