Categories: Labor NewsLong Beach

Long Beach Women Hotel Workers Rally Against Abuse

Long Beach Women Hotel Workers Rally Against Abuse

By Crystal Niebla, Contributing Reporter

LONG BEACH — More than 70 hotel workers, community activists and their families gathered outside the Long Beach City Hall on June 16 to speak up against poor working conditions in the Long Beach tourism industry.

“People shouldn’t be overworked, overwhelmed with their duties, especially if they’re being robbed [from] breaks, ” said Martin Rodriguez, who heard about the rally at a Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, a social justice group.

Workers — mostly women — say they constantly are dealing not only with extreme workloads, but also, sexual harassment at hotels in Long Beach.

Rosa Casarrubias, a banquet server at the Long Beach Westin Hotel, shared her story.

“I’ve always remembered when I encountered a drunk guest [dressed] only in a towel,” Casarrubias said. “He kept saying, ‘Come on, honey, come inside to the room.’ Approaching me he asked, ‘What is your name? Where do you live? Do you like to drink? What are you doing after work?’ I was uncomfortable and scared. My heart was racing. I constantly kept looking around to see if anyone could help me, but there was nobody.”

According to Long Beach Coalition for a Good Job and Healthy Community, a recent international study revealed that 68 percent of sexual assaults go. Casarrubias also said that when workers complain, they are either ignored or disciplined.

“Many of us are told that it’s not a big deal, but rather, we should have a thicker skin,” she said.

“I am gravely concerned about the lack of safety that exists in our city’s hotels, especially of the treatment of the hard-working women,” said Elizabeth Castillo, sexual assault forensic nurse specialist,who works at the Long Beach Memorial.

Castillo said these women also are extremely overworked. In many cases, women are forced to clean without the proper tools and supplies, often on their hands and knees. Some women describe having to pick up hair out of carpet with their hands, she said.

“Imagine having to clean up to 20 rooms a day — that’s 20 toilets, 20 sinks, 20 floors and 20 bedrooms in only eight hours,” Castillo said. “It’s not humanly possible for one woman to do without a break [and] the rest to go to the bathroom, let alone eat lunch.”

“I, like many women, can’t even have a restroom break because we have to be on the floor the whole time attending guest orders,” Casarrubias said. “I want to see change.”

 

Reporters Desk

Recent Posts

County to Protect Medi-Cal and CalFresh Access for 1.7 Million Residents Amid New Federal Work Requirements

The motion also calls for the expansion of workfare and volunteer opportunities across county departments…

16 hours ago

Governors Briefs: CalRx® Insulin, $11 a Pen, Will Soon be Available and Appointment Announced

This launch marks a significant step in the state's ongoing effort to lower prescription drug…

16 hours ago

Purdue Student Paper Shows Solidarity With Rival

  After the Indiana University Media School fired its director of student media and banned…

17 hours ago

POLA Lead Attorney Steve Otera Named Corporate Counsel of the Year by LA Business Journal

  LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Business Journal has given a top legal honor…

17 hours ago

Ports Briefs: POLB Cargo Slows as Clean Truck Study and Air Quality Report Highlight Progress

The Final 2024 Class 8 Drayage Truck Feasibility Assessment Report focuses on battery electric and…

20 hours ago

Public Health Investigating Possible Local Spread of Clade I Mpox; Third Case Confirmed in Los Angeles County

So far in 2025, Public Health has reported 118 cases of clade II mpox.

2 days ago