L.A.'s labor leaders snub 'hugging saint' Indian spiritual figure Amma gets a cold shoulder over her refusal to honor a union boycott of the LAX Hilton.

[Guest guest]

L.A.'s labor leaders snub 'hugging saint' Indian spiritual figure Amma gets

a cold shoulder over her refusal to honor a union boycott of the LAX Hilton.

By Joe Mathews, Times Staff Writer

June 18, 2007

 

Amma, the renowned mystic known as the " hugging saint of India, " arrived in

Los Angeles over the weekend for five days of spiritual events, but the

city's labor leaders are responding with the back of their hands.

 

The problem is Amma's choice of venue for her events: the Hilton Los Angeles

Airport hotel.

 

Since August, the hotel has been the target of a boycott by Unite Here, a

hotel workers' union that is seeking to organize workers at the Hilton and

other hotels near Los Angeles International Airport.

 

The Hilton has been the most aggressive in opposing unionization.

 

Some groups, notably the California Teachers Assn., have canceled

conventions scheduled at the hotel, and more than 30 elected officials,

including seven of the 15 members of the Los Angeles City Council, have

endorsed the boycott.

 

In a statement last week, hotel officials said the boycott could hurt

workers, but that its impact on the facility has been minimal.

 

In an interview Sunday, while she dispensed hugs to thousands of her

devotees at the Hilton, Amma — the name means mother — said she had learned

of the boycott after arriving in the United States last month to begin a

10-city tour.

 

She said she felt " very sad and concerned " for workers at the hotel but

decided to stay with her Los Angeles venue so as not to disappoint her

15,000 devotees here, and because she did not feel comfortable, as a

foreigner and visitor to the country, taking sides in a local dispute.

 

" Suppose I tell the hotel people, will they change their policy? They

won't, " she said, adding, " I don't want to interfere with the local

affairs. "

 

Aides noted that the event was being held at the Hilton in the second year

of a two-year contract, signed by her local followers before the boycott

began in August.

 

Amma, 53, whose real name is Mata Amritanandamayi, spoke in Malayalam, the

language of her native state of Kerala in southern India. Her longtime aide,

Swami Amrit, provided translation.

 

Even without formal religious training, by the age of 21 Amma was attracting

spiritual seekers drawn to her message, which is not aligned with any formal

religion. She says her " religion is love. "

 

She has given more than 26 million hugs in more than 30 years of spiritual

work.

 

Asked why she hugs, she replied: " That's like asking the river, why do you

flow? "

 

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*joe.mathews

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-hug18jun18,1,5527192.s\

tory?coll=la-headlines-pe-california & ctrack=1 & cset=true

*

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

OM Amriteswaryai Namah,

 

Thank you, Nischala, for forwarding this story. It makes sense that Amma

would " keep out " of the politics. And also not want to disappoint Her

followers, or inflict additional costs on either them or the program.

Especially with the pre-existing contract. What could " dharma " be in such a

situation but to minimize impact on the most people?

 

Hopefully Her sacred presence will bring about a change in the mind of the

Hotel corporation, and assist the workers.

 

While in San Ramon, I happened to spend some time with a longtime devotee,

from Gujarat, who works at one of the San Francisco hotels that the OAH

decided last year not to patronize. He told me they - the UNITE HERE

workers - had a five year battle to get a fair contract, and had only

recently received their lump sum back pay and protection of health care.

Since he has a family to support, and the U.S. does not have a good social

net for health care costs, it meant a lot to have a good contract

resolution. The dignity of workers, especially service employees, seems

also to be a Dharma to uphold. I begged him to ask Amma about the

situation, but he was very humble about approaching the Master with such a

concern.

 

As a member of the California Faculty Association, and the spouse of a trade

union member, however, it saddens me greatly to not feel able to attend our

beloved Amma's Los Angeles programs. It does not diminish my faith in Her,

nor do I mean any disrespect to the M.A. center or the local southern

California satsangs. In fact, I bow down even deeper at their abilities to

transcend the worldly play.

 

May the Mother of the Universe bestow Her blessings on the organizing

efforts at LAX.

 

Jai ma,

Prashanti

 

On 6/18/07, Nischala <ammasgirl9 wrote:

>

> L.A.'s labor leaders snub 'hugging saint' Indian spiritual figure Amma

> gets

> a cold shoulder over her refusal to honor a union boycott of the LAX

> Hilton.

> By Joe Mathews, Times Staff Writer

> June 18, 2007

>

>