UNITE HERE stands up to harassment

This fall, as millions of women have posted their experiences with sexual harassment or assault under the hashtag #MeToo, women in UNITE HERE are leading the demand for justice against sexual or gender-based harassment inside their workplaces too. "Housekeepers in Chicago just won a new city ordinance called 'Hands Off Pants On' that helps to create a safe workplace for women working in hotel rooms," UNITE HERE Local 23 told its members recently. "In DC, Maryom Meth at Sky Chefs Dulles Airport filed a grievance against her supervisor, alleging that Maryom’s manager physically pulled off her hijab (head covering), which she wears for her religious beliefs. When the company did not respond quickly to her grievance, Maryom filed a complaint with the EEOC for religious and sexual harassment. Maryom’s complaint was aired as the top story in local news on the same day she made the complaint. If you see sexual or gender-based harassment in your workplace," the union added, "report it to your manager, your shop steward and the WRAC (Worker Resource and Action Center)."

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