Workers at Chicago's Congress Hotel have been on strike for seven years with no end in sight. Workers were told in 2003, there would be no raises until 2010. The employer has not budged on its wage proposal during the 7 year strike. Members of UNITE HERE gathered with local politicians and clergy to "celebrate the anniversary with speechifying and solidarity. Details here and here. We have previously posted about the injunction the hotel sought against the City to prevent the City from interfering in the labor dispute.

Seems a strike and subsequent lockout at the University of Alabama is attributable to the awakening that occurred when the two schools met in the Rose Bowl. Thats where First Transit's Alabama drivers became aware that First Transit's Texas drivers made a lot more green.

Musicians at the Cleveland Orchestra have called a strike rather than accept a 5% pay cut in the first year of a 5 year contract. Median pay in 2009 was $140,000. UNder the old agreement musicians were entitled to ten weeks of paid vacation.