UNITE-HERE, a union that represents hotel, restaurant and textile workers saw two major victories in the past two weeks. The union announced on Tuesday that an agreement had been reached with Angelica Textile Corporation. The union can now initiate organizing efforts at the company's non-union facilities. The agreement also includes new collective bargaining terms for the Antioch, New York plant. Last week UNITE won a major victory in LA when a tentative agreement was announced with the Hotel Employers Council. The agreement follows a 14-month battle where the hotels faced boycotts, strikes and the workers in turn were threatened with lockouts.

Ninety percent of the UNITE-HERE union workers at an Angelica laundry plant in Wichita Falls, Texas are locked out after walking off their jobs for a day to protest violations of their contract. UNITE-HERE's Amanda Cooper says there's no way of knowing how Angelica workers at other facilities in New York, California and North Carolina will react to the lockout.

[Amanda Cooper 1] : "Our hope would be that, you know, that this action the workers have taken will show the company that they're serious, they want progress and they're only going to be so patient for so long. But, you know, we're continuing to negotiate in hopes of getting an agreement."

Talks continue at Angelica laundry where thousands of UNITE-HERE workers are fighting to win improved pay and working conditions. UNITE-HERE's Amanda Cooper.

[Amanda Cooper 1] : "Angelica issued a statement jointly in their shops with us earlier this week telling the workers that we're continuing to talk, we're making progress, we're hopeful for a resolution and we appreciate everybody's patience."

Later this month the union will be defending a Batavia, New York Angelica worker UNITE-HERE says was fired for union activity.

Workers at Angelica Laundry may launch a nationwide strike today as they struggle to win improvements in pay and working conditions. UNITE HERE, the union representing Angelica workers, has pledges of support from the SEIU and Teamsters. Fourteen of Angelica's 33 plants are in California. Workers complain of safety violations and say they handle dirty laundry contaminated with blood and feces without proper protections.

Nearly 250 healthcare facilities could be facing a day of dirty laundry if Angelica Textile Services does not meet demands of it’s workers. Earlier this week, two more Angelica plants voted to join five others in commencing a strike on May 5 if demands are not met. Twelve other plants have voted to walkout in a show of solidarity with the striking plants. Angelica has plants across the country that provides cleaning services for hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The workers are seeking a contract that would guarantee adherence to labor laws, as well as better health and safety standards at plants.

Angelica Corporation is getting its dirty laundry aired. Angelica is a fast-growing company that provides laundry services to hospitals around the country and its employees nationwide are preparing to strike. Melissa Burbeles (BUR-buh-leez), an employee at the Batavia (buh-TAY-vee-uh) New York plant and a member of UNITE-HERE, says the company continually violates labor laws and threatens the health and safety of workers.

[Burbeles 1] "Say if a machine breaks down, they would actually take gray duct tape to tape it back up. And then when another worker goes on that same machine, he or she gets hurt."