Equity for All of Us was created in response to the enormous impact on hospitality workers – whether they are unionized or not – of the COVID-19 pandemic. By some estimates, over 90% of hospitality workers were laid off or lost their job in March 2020. The loss of income and health care, high rates of illness (including mental illness) and death were staggering; the impact will be felt for years to come.

Hospitality workers – Housekeepers, Servers, Bartenders, Barporters, Bussers, Cooks, Dishwashers, Bellmen and Doormen, Lunchroom workers and more in hotels, casinos, convention centers, stadiums, school cafeterias, airport restaurants and coffee shops are overwhelmingly women, immigrants and people of color. In Chicago, we live in every neighborhood, but are concentrated in neighborhoods like McKinley Park and Belmont-Cragin. We are Chicago, and we make Chicago the amazing city it is.

The realities of the pandemic sharpened the need for an organization that could extend its reach among all hospitality workers. Consistent with its mission, Equity’s focus is to continue the kinds of social outreach, services and leadership development led by UNITE HERE Local 1 workers leaders, in the communities where hospitality workers live, among both union and non-union hospitality workers.