Lionel Messi and Inter Miami change LA hotel after workers plea and ‘violent attack’
The Argentine icon and his new teammates were urged to stay away from one Los Angeles establishment by striking workers and it appears that they have heeded this warning
Lionel Messi and his teammates have been praised after Inter Miami decided to cancel plans to stay at a hotel after desperate pleas by the workers.
The Herons were due to reside at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica prior to their MLS fixture against Los Angeles FC. However, union Unite Here Local 11 requested that the team stay elsewhere in the lead up to the game on September 4.
Staff from the hotel have gone on strike as they look for better pay amid rising housing costs in the region. Housekeepers, cooks, bellmen and servers have joined thousands of employees from other hotels in the area on the picket lines recently.
The union alleged that security staff had been seen “violently attacking their own employees” as striking workers tried to form a picket line outside the hotel last month. The reported incident on August 6 led to a stern response from Unite Here Local 11, who tweeted: “Our members won’t give in to bully tactics at the negotiating table or the picket line.”
Now, it is clear that Messi and his team have heeded the advice from the union as the team plans to stay elsewhere prior to their upcoming match. In a statement, Unite Here Local 11 expressed their gratitude for the support from the Vice City players and workers are said to be ‘thankful’.
They stated: “The players’ union was very helpful when they learned about the dispute. The players themselves really wanted to do the right thing and stand with the workers. We are very grateful. The workers are going to send them some shirts, to thank them for their solidarity.”
MLS Players’ Association also applauded Inter Miami for deciding to change their plans ahead of the clash with LAFC. They urged the Fairmont Miramar to seek an agreement with their striking workers to resolve the dispute.
They said “The MLSPA is proud to stand with the striking workers at the Fairmont Miramar and other LA area hotels, and we applaud the decision by MLS and Inter Miami to change hotels this weekend. We urge all of the hotels to reach fair contracts with their workers ASAP.”
The Herons will face LAFC in their 25 games of the regular season, with the team currently in the midst of an unbeaten run stretching back 10 matches. Their opponents present a formidable test, however, with the reigning MLS Cup victors second in the Western Conference.
