Unite Here to split into its 2 original unions
Two labor unions that had joined together in 2004 announced yesterday that they were splitting up. The Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees and the union representing hotel and restaurant employees will go their separate ways. There were 9,000 members of Unite Here in Philadelphia, out of 440,000 internationally.
Two labor unions that had joined together in 2004 announced yesterday that they were splitting up.
The Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees and the union representing hotel and restaurant employees will go their separate ways. There were 9,000 members of Unite Here in Philadelphia, out of 440,000 internationally.
The unions merged in July 2004 to form Unite Here. But infighting and other problems soon surfaced under the new arrangement.
Last weekend, 150,000 union members voted to disaffiliate with Unite Here.
Labor leaders told the presidents of Unite Here that the merger should end, according to Lynne Fox, manager of the Philadelphia Joint Board of Unite and former international vice president of Unite Here. Fox said delegates representing nearly 40 percent of Unite Here's membership indicated their desire to leave the union and go their own way.
The joint board represents 10 local unions that include hospitality, gaming, school cafeteria, textile, and laundry workers.