Ald. Michelle Harris (top row, fourth from left) and Human Rights Commissioner Mona Noriega stand on the Council chambers’ steps after the Workforce Committee passed the so-called “Hands Off, Pants On” ordinance on Oct. 2, 2017. Credit: A.D. Quig
Hotel workers clad in red UNITE HERE shirts broke into applause Monday morning after quick passage of an ordinance mandating hotels outfit their employees with panic buttons they can push in case of sexual harassment or assault from guests. Hotels must also create an anti-sexual harassment policy and post it publicly. The Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL), UNITE HERE Local 1 and lead sponsor Ald. Michelle Harris (8) celebrated the move as a union-business victory to protect workers who are largely women of color and immigrants.