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THE ISSUES
Who is White Lodging?… an Indianapolis based national investment and development firm with operations ranging from amusement parks to hotels and real estate. It is headed by billionaire Dean White and his son Bruce, both graduates of the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business. Dean White is worth 1.3 billion, good for #606 on Forbes’ Richest People list. … a contributor to the university in fiscal years 2002-2003, 2003-2004, and 2004-2005. … a company not willing to pay Chicago’s standard hotel pay and benefits (13.20 an hour with $0 deducted for individual and $30/month deducted for family health coverage). … a company committed to opposing worker’s right to free association and to form unions. None of its over 100 hotels are unionized. … a company that has used deception and intimidation to in its refusal to abide by the Illinois Housekeeping Break Law. … a company that has been sued by the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for religious discrimination against Muslim women. … a company that is under boycott by the Muslim Alliance of Indianapolis and the Islamic Society of North America.
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University Plans | Just Alternatives | |
JOBS | Let in a company with a history of poverty wages, discrimination, and poor treatment of workers. | Hire from the community and guarantee living wage union jobs through a card check neutrality agreement |
HOUSING | Put a luxury hotel in a gentrifying area, likely raising assessments and rent pressures. | Study the impact first to ensure development serves community needs and not developer greed. |
HISTORY | Demolish a historic building. | Preserve this important piece of Hyde Park’s history. |
PROCESS | Give a no-bid contract to a U of C connected company without community input. | The community should make decisions from the beginning. |