Update on Law Profs and the Boycott at AALS

Rachel Arnow-Richman (Denver) writes:

A quick update on the events surrounding the Hilton boycott and a request for volunteers.  As you know, Gary Peller, Karl Klare and Mike Seidman have been working tireless[ly] both to support Unite/HERE and to bring home the message to AALS about the need to respect the consumer boycott.  At the moment they are looking for (1) attendees at a rally of law professors supporting the boycott on Friday during the AALS presidential luncheon, and (2) volunteers to participate on the line at other times during the conf in support of the union.  Finally, we are also looking for faculty members to attend the AALS House of Representatives meeting on Thursday at 5:15 pm to support the Section’s resolution on hotel labor disputes.  More details about each of these needs follows.

(1) The rally will take place Friday, Jan. 7 outside the Hilton from 12:25-12:45 pm.  Professor Jack Getman will be speaking.

(2)Volunteers are also requested for the following time slots:
 
Wed. 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Thur., 8-9 a.m.
Fri. 8-9am, 11-12:15 p.m., and 1 to 2 p.m.

Volunteers are not asked to assume any organizational or leadership role. The aim is simply to ensure a law professor presence at other times during the conference.  To volunteer please email Mike Seidman. 

(3) On Thursday at 5:15pm, the House of Representatives will hold its meeting (located in the Embarcadero, 3rd floor, Parc 55).  On the agenda is the resolution, co-sponsored by Gary Peller and myself offering a “sense of the community” that AALS should avoid scheduling any events in hotels under picket, boycott, strike, etc.  Although this is a non-binding resolution, the Executive Committee has issued a strong memo to the delegates opposing adoption.  A half hour has been allotted for discussion of the resolution at the meeting (beginning at 5:50 pm).  Any AALS faculty member may attend, and I hope many of you will choose to participate.

For additional information about all of the various efforts and events being scheduled by and for law faculty in support of the union boycott, please go to here.

rb