More than 10,000 hotel workers at 24 hotels across the country went on strike during Labor Day weekend, impacting travel plans for guests. The strike, led by the union Unite Here, is not only about better pay but also better working conditions, such as the return of daily room cleaning that many hotels stopped during the pandemic. The union argues that hotel workers are not making enough to support their families, with many struggling to cover basic living expenses.
Hotel workers like Aissata Seck, a banquet food server at Hilton Park Plaza, have seen their rent increase significantly in recent years while their pay remains stagnant. Seck now works as an Uber driver on the side to make ends meet. The lack of daily room cleaning not only affects the jobs of union members but also increases the workload for cleaning staff, as they have to tend to rooms that have not been cleaned for multiple days.
The strike affects hotel chains such as Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott, with thousands of rooms impacted in cities like Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, and Honolulu. The union is considering expanding the strike to include more hotels in different cities. While both Hilton and Hyatt have expressed a commitment to negotiating fair contracts with the union, they also plan to continue serving customers during the strike.
Last year, the same union went on strike during the July 4 holiday weekend at 65 hotels in Southern California. While the strikes are set to end after three days, there is a possibility of them returning on a rolling basis in the future. The union eventually reached deals with most of the hotels targeted in that strike, but it took several months for agreements to be reached.
This Labor Day weekend has been particularly busy for travel, with a significant increase in domestic travel compared to the previous year. The strikes could potentially disrupt travel plans for many guests staying at the affected hotels. The union is pushing for better working conditions and fair wages for hotel workers across the country, highlighting the disparity between the industry’s profits and the wages of its employees.
As the strike continues, negotiations between the union and hotel chains are ongoing. The union is committed to fighting for the rights of its members and ensuring that they receive fair compensation for their work. These strikes serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights and fair treatment in the hospitality industry, shedding light on the challenges faced by many hotel workers across the country.
