Supporting the rights of Jessica Ramirez, a former employee of the Loews Hotel and her co-workers to organize and attain collective bargaining rights through Local 274 of the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union and condemning the conduct of the Loews Hotel in dismissing Jessica Ramirez.

WHEREAS, Local 274 of the Hotel and Restaurant Employees of Philadelphia is engaging organizing employees of several hotels in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, That campaign is designed to guarantee the sacred American virtue to organize and bargain collectively; and

WHEREAS, The development of the Loews Hotel was aided by the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Many hotel and restaurant employees receive low wages and little benefits; and

WHEREAS, Recently Jessica Ramirez, an employee of the Loews hotel had signed a union card and was subsequently dismissed; and

WHEREAS, Upon her dismissal, Ramirez was searched and forced to strip outside the Hotel; and

WHEREAS; Philadelphia has a history of having both a friendly business and labor climate; and

WHEREAS, There are allegations that the conduct in the dismissal of Ms. Ramirez, a young single mother, represents an unfair labor practice; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we support the rights of Jessica Ramirez, her co-workers and the members of Local 274 to organize; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Is dismayed by the degrading treatment of a resident of the City by the Loews Hotel; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, That Jessica Ramirez be immediately reinstated to her position at the Loews Hotel, and that the Loews' Management apologize to Ms. Ramirez for the treatment she was subjected to.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Loews Philadelphia Hotel and the membership of Local 274.

End