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Donald Wilson, Century Plaza |
Only minutes before an earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale shook City Hall, I joined hotel owners and hotel workers on the steps of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Led by mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa, the two sides announced that they had ratified a new contract, that the strike and boycott were over, and that Los Angeles was back in business! Representatives from LA, Inc. were on hand to make it clear that Los Angeles is still ideal for conventions and travel.
I offer my sincerest congratulations and commendations to the two sides, who were able to reach a mutually agreeable contract that will get them to November 2006, and to mayor-elect Villaraigosa as well, who reinforced in late-night negotiating sessions that a protracted strike and lockout would hurt us all.
(For more on the actual earthquake—which has no known connection to the hotel contract—check out blogging.la where six different metrobloggers posted within seven minutes of the quake.)
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An earthshaking combination: Bonaventure Hotel owner Peter Zen with UNITE HERE leader Maria Elena Durazo, flanked by me, Bernard Parks, and Jan Perry |