Women’s History Month: Roushaunda Williams, UNITE HERE Local 1

Roushaunda Williams, labor steward for UNITE HERE Local 1 in Chicago and a vice president on the Illinois AFL-CIO Executive Board, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast as part of our Women’s History Month coverage to discuss her journey from social work to union leadership, her efforts to combat sexual harassment in the hospitality industry and the impact of organized labor on workers' rights.

Williams discussed her transition from social services to bartending, where she discovered the power of union membership. Through active participation in UNITE HERE Local 1, she learned about collective bargaining, negotiated wages and the importance of worker solidarity. This experience led her to become a vocal advocate for her coworkers and eventually ascend to leadership positions within the union.

A significant focus of Williams' work has been addressing sexual harassment in the hospitality industry. She played a crucial role in the "Hands Off, Pants On" campaign, which began in Chicago and gained international recognition. The campaign involved collecting data on sexual harassment incidents, mobilizing union members and lobbying legislators to pass protective laws. Their efforts resulted in concrete gains, including panic buttons for hotel workers and increased awareness of the issue on a global scale.

Williams emphasized the transformative power of union involvement, highlighting her experiences representing workers on international stages. From speaking at the United Nations to meeting with the Pope, she has used these platforms to advocate for workers' rights and share strategies for effective union organizing. Williams said these opportunities were made possible through her involvement with UNITE HERE and demonstrated the potential impact of union activism.

Listen to the full episode above to hear more about Williams' inspiring journey and the ongoing fight for workers' rights.