AFTRA Dancers in Solidarity

AFTRA dancers and Local and National members were out in full force to support UNITE HERE Local 11 hotel workers in their one day strike against the W Hollywood Hotel. 

“We are on strike today to show the W Hollywood that we deserve the right to take breaks,” said Mildred Velasquez, a W housekeeper. “We are excited to be joined by music video dancers who also need breaks on the job. Whether it’s in a hotel or at a video production, management must respect the limits of our bodies.”

The dancers are also in the midst of negotiations with the major labels over wages and working conditions for music videos.

"We are here today with our sisters and brothers from UNITE HERE Local 11 because we want the record labels – and the rest of Hollywood – to know that we are prepared to take our fight for a fair contract covering music videos to the next level and to the streets,” said AFTRA Dancer Dana Wilson. “All workers, whether they are hotel workers or dancers in music videos, deserve the dignity and protections of a union contract.”

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AFTRA Local Vice President and National Board member Susan Boyd Joyce addresses the crowd outside the W Hollywood Hotel.

AFTRA Local Vice President and National Board member Susan Boyd Joyce addresses the crowd outside the W Hollywood Hotel.

 The crowd outside W Hollywood.

AFTRA Dancers get the crowd pumped up.

AFTRA member & dancer Damian "D-moe" Gomez took to the picket line in solidarity.

AFTRA member & dancer Dana Wilson got into the solidarity spirit.

Wilson & Gomez , joined by fellow members of the Dancers Alliance, lead the crowd in a dance of solidarity.

Gomez shows off his dance skills for the crowd.

Wilson, Gomez and Aimee Winston showing a little respect for the UNITE HERE workers.

Before they danced for solidarity, Wilson addressed the striking UNITE HERE Local 11 workers.

National board member and Los Angeles Local VP Susan Boyd Joyce addressing the crowd.

Wilson, Gomez and Winston in motion.

AFTRA National Board and LA Local Board member and singer Jon Joyce came out to support the workers.

National Board and LA Local Board member Ron Morgan showed his support for Local 11.

Joyce with fellow AFTRA National and LA Local board member and dancer Sharon Ferguson on the strike line.

Durazo addresses the crowd as Wilson and Joyce look on.

Durazo addresses the crowd outside the W Hollywood. To her left is Thomas Walsh, president of UNITE HERE Local 11.

The AFTRA dancers with Mildred Velasquez, a housekeeper at W Hollywood.

Dancers Teresa Espinosa and Sharon Ferguson.

Espinosa, Ferguson and Channing Cooke (background) dance in solidarity.

The dancers with Durazo.

Dancers Ferguson and Wilson with hotel worker Mildred Velasquez.

Ferguson gets the crowd pumped.

Doing what they do best - Dancers in solidarity with UNITE HERE Local 11.

Wilson & Gomez outside the W Hollywood.

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