Members of UNITE HERE, including 60,000 workers of Culinary Local 226, are in immediate need of unemployment benefits, health care, food, housing and sick leave, says president D. Taylor. 

“I represent 300,000 members but I’m speaking on behalf of millions of workers,” Taylor said during a Wednesday morning teleconference with reporters. 

He also wants workers to have a say in talks with Congress and captains of industry as they negotiate bailouts. 

“We’re looking for $150 billion,” he said of the relief sought by the hotel industry, including gaming. “We don’t believe in trickle-down.  We believe in bottom-up.” 

“This is an enormous crisis and I have to say I’m very worried the American worker is not at the table,” Taylor said. “We are often in the shadows. What we’re asking for today is a bailout for the American worker, not just a bailout for American industry.”