700 HTC members: “We’ll fight to protect our rights!”

More than 700 workers from both Tavern on the Green and union hotels rallied in Central Park September 25, sending a message to newly-designated Tavern operator Dean Poll that they would fight to protect the Tavern workers' union jobs and union contract.

Dean Poll is set to take over operation of Tavern at the end of the year when the current operator's lease expires. Thus far, his offer to negotiate the terms of employment for the more than 400 union members have been an insulting, blatant attempt to gut the workers' current contract.

The rally began outside Tavern, where Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and Bill de Blasio, New York City Councilman and candidate for NYC Public Advocate, both voiced their strong support for the workers. The 700 workers then marched through the park to the non-union Boathouse, Dean Poll's other restaurant, and the workers continued to make it clear they will fight for their good jobs, they will fight for their rights, and they will fight for their union brothers and sisters.

To see a slideshow of images from the rally, click here.

Spitz, Rebecca. Tavern on the Green Workers Fight to Keep Benefits. NY 1, September 25, 2009.
Massey, Daniel. Protest set over Tavern on the Green contract offier. Crain's NY Business, September 24, 2009.
Romero, Katherine. Tavern-staff 'green' fear. New York Post, September 26, 2009.
Union Workers Rally Outside Tavern on the Green. WNYC Newsroom, September 25, 2009.
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