Spanish-Speaking Staff Denied Martin Luther King Holiday

Teamsters Intervene to Guarantee Equal Rights for All Workers

While Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spent a lifetime preaching nonviolent activism and equality, some workers at Chicago’s St. Agnes Health Care & Rehabilitation Center found only polarity in their bid to celebrate his birthday.

Until late, housekeeping staff at St. Agnes was routinely denied the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday while other employees received paid time off. It is now thanks to the ongoing efforts of Teamsters Local 743 that all union workers at the nursing care facility have the right to celebrate King’s honor.

“The freedom to observe a federal holiday—especially one that promotes fairness and denounces discrimination—is a basic right owed to all hardworking men and women, regardless of race or nationality,” said Richard Berg, Local 743 President.

In addition to housekeepers, Local 743 represents dietary personnel and certified nursing assistants at St. Agnes. Prior to the Teamsters’ intervention, management had only selectively agreed to grant the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday to other units.

“Spanish-speaking workers comprise the majority of St. Agnes’ housekeeping staff and the Teamsters delivered a coordinated campaign to guarantee equality and justice in this facility,” said John T. Coli, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25. “Race should never play a factor in the rights and advantages bestowed to workers.”

Housekeeping, dietary and nursing personnel are all protected under the same contract.

Teamsters Local 743 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, which represents more than 100,000 men and women in Illinois and Indiana.

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