Thousands of hotel workers in a dozen U.S. cities are preparing to go on strike as they battle for new contracts with major hotel companies. Approximately 15,000 workers who are members of the union Unite Here have voted to authorize strikes against Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Omni properties. The cities where workers may walk off the job include Baltimore, Boston, Connecticut, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and various cities in California and Washington. This marks the first time hotel workers in so many different cities have given the green light to strike simultaneously, according to Unite Here.
The union is demanding significant raises for housekeepers, food-service workers, and other members, along with measures to limit their workloads. Staffing levels are also a concern, with many hotels cutting back on services like daily housekeeping during the pandemic. Gwen Mills, the union’s president, stated that the industry had largely recovered but was attempting to make long-term cuts that could permanently alter hotel work post-pandemic. Contracts have already expired at most of the hotels in question, with the remaining ones set to expire soon. Strikes could commence anytime thereafter, potentially affecting both East Coast and West Coast cities.
Michael D’Angelo, head of labor relations at Hyatt, emphasized that employees were crucial to their business and that the company had contingency plans in place in case of work stoppages. He expressed optimism that mutually beneficial agreements could be reached without strikes. However, Hilton, Marriott, and Omni did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Unite Here is aiming to leverage its position by coordinating strikes at different properties, potentially playing the hotel operators against each other as negotiations take place simultaneously.
Last year, hotel workers in California went on strike, and now similar work stoppages could occur in East Coast cities. Unite Here implemented rolling strikes during negotiations for dozens of new contracts in California, with workers walking off the job temporarily at various hotels to make the stoppages unpredictable for management. The union has created a strike guide and map for travelers, urging them to cancel reservations and demand refunds in the event of picket lines. The guide states that hotel workers are facing financial difficulties and increased workloads, reaching a breaking point.
Gwen Mills of Unite Here emphasized that the current fight is centered on workload issues, service cuts, and the future of the hospitality industry post-pandemic. Workers are determined to secure the economic standards they deserve. Exhibiting unity across different cities, the union has successfully mobilized a significant number of workers to authorize strikes against major hotel chains, paving the way for potential work stoppages in various locations across the country. If an agreement cannot be reached, thousands of hotel workers are prepared to take to the picket lines during the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
