June 19, 2009

Dear Martin Field [Owner],

I am writing to you out of anger and disbelief. Had I known about the working conditions you maintain for the employees of the Crowne Plaza LaGuardia, I would never have attended an event being held there. When I spoke at the Queens International Film Festival last year, I was unknowingly crossing a picket line and that is a deep regret. I was not made aware of the dispute by your management, which is a great misrepresentation.

It is disheartening to know that the workers have gone for so long without industry standard health care, decent wages and respect and dignity on their job. I find their determination to make their lives and job better very admirable. It is honorable that after almost five years of fighting for the rights they deserve, a vast majority of the Crowne Plaza workers are undaunted and are gathering more support than ever for their cause. I found it especially disturbing to hear about the four workers who were terminated after a joint 72 years of service just for exercising their rights under the law.

Let it be known that I stand by the workers in their struggle and until you end this labor dispute by settling a fair contract with the workers, I will not support you or your business. I urge you to cease the violations of labor law and settle the contract as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

John C. Liu