PLATFORM : Corporate Insensitivity
As if the existing struggles to overcome racial tensions, crime and anti-immigrant sentiment were not enough, the Korean-American community in Los Angeles is facing yet another challenge: The takeover of the former Hyatt Wilshire Hotel by the Seoul-based Koreana Hotel Co. The takeover has hurt many African-American and Latino workers and has sparked a boycott of the hotel that the Korean-American community should support.
The Koreana Hotel Co. is the latest example of Korea-based corporations seeking to reap the benefits of an expanding marketplace, yet neglecting their responsibility to the communities in which they hope to flourish. As a consequence of their failure to consider the political and social impact of their corporate strategies on the issues facing the multi-ethnic communities in Los Angeles, some Korea-based corporations may be in for a rude awakening.
Koreana’s takeover strategy has not only exacerbated racial tensions, it has also placed about 175 unionized Hyatt Wilshire workers on the unemployment and county health system rolls.
Many of the workers have little prospect of finding comparable work in this recession. They say they will continue to picket the hotel to encourage the boycott and to inform the public that Koreana does not employ union workers. Many Korean-American leaders and organizations have agreed to honor the boycott.
The Korean-American community is in the unique position of being able to provide valuable assistance to newly arrived Korea-based corporations, including cultural and communication skills that would ease their entry into this community. At a time when unprecedented efforts are being made to overcome bitterness and distrust among ethnic minority communities in Los Angeles, Koreana failed to avail itself of that assistance and has created new difficulties as a result of its uninformed actions.
The takeover by Koreana raises a critical issue in the dialogue surrounding race relations. Management decisions made abroad can have serious consequences for those of us who live here. The average person on the street rarely differentiates between a first- or second-generation Korean-American.
Efforts to restore cross-cultural confidence in Los Angeles must involve members of our corporate communities--both the long-term businesses who have grown here and the newcomers. By holding Korea-based corporations accountable to the issues and concerns of our community, Korean-Americans can play a key role in developing a community conscience that includes ensuring a sense of dignity and respect for the multicultural work force in our city.
