**EMBARGOED UNTIL THURSDAY AT 6 AM**
Subject: DoubleTree Little Tokyo Workers Out on Strike
PRESS ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY AT 6:00 AM
Contact: Ofelia Carrillo (323) 817-9804; ocarrillo@unitehere11.org
More Than 100 DoubleTree Hilton Workers Expected To Strike
Downtown LA's Double Tree Hotel workers allege missed rest periods; ask State to investigate backpay claims
What: Day-long Hotel Worker Strike
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton, 120 South Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
When: Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 5:30 AM
Who: DoubleTree Hilton workers, community members, clergy
Visual: Dozens of worker, picket signs, hotel workers in uniform
Follow #DTLAStrike for updates on the strike
LOS ANGELES Workers at the DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel will take to the streets starting at 6 AM today for a one-day strike. Workers are calling attention to complaints that several employees filed with the State alleging missed rest breaks and claiming entitlement to back pay. The United Bank of Switzerland (UBS) currently owns the downtown hotel.
"There are too many checkout rooms. We go to several floors." Patricia Martinez said, a housekeeper at the DoubleTree. "We have to wait for the elevator and everyone has to use the same two elevators. There is not enough time for me to find the linen, wait for the elevator—that's where my breaks go."
The strike comes after eleven workers filed complaints on Wednesday with the California State Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), the state agency responsible for enforcing wage and hour laws, alleging violations of rest and/or meal break requirements and in some cases overtime requirements. DLSE will investigate the workers' allegations, and it has authority to conduct a hearing to determine their merits.
"In the afternoon, I don't take my breaks because I never know when I'm going to get off with all the work I have to do. My schedule changes all the time." said Luis Dominguez, a dishwasher at the downtown hotel.
California state law allows workers two 10-minute breaks and one 30-minute break in an eight-hour shift. According to the law, for every day that a rest break is missed, the worker is entitled to one hour of back pay from the employer, and for every day that a meal break is missed, the worker is entitled to another hour of back pay.
The workers and their supporters plan to picket in front of the hotel, until 5PM Thursday night. They will be available for in person interviews, in both English and Spanish starting at 6:00 AM.
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