Hotel Workers Strike Across U.S.

By Doyinsola Oladipo and Mrinmay Dey

NEW YORK (Reuters) – About 10,000 U.S. hotel workers began a multi-day strike in several cities on Sunday after contract discussions with major hotel operators Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and Hyatt Hotels stalled, according to the Unite Here union.

The Unite Here union, representing workers from hotels, casinos, and airports across the U.S. and Canada, indicated that thousands are striking at 24 hotels in major travel cities like San Francisco, San Diego, Honolulu, Boston, Seattle, and Greenwich, Connecticut. Additional cities are prepared to join the protest as the Labor Day holiday weekend progresses.

This strike occurs amid a 9% rise in domestic travel during Labor Day weekend compared to last year, based on AAA booking data.

The union stated that strikes have been authorized in Baltimore, New Haven, Oakland, and Providence, hinting that hotel workers and operators are grappling over wages and addressing pandemic-related job reductions.

According to the union, hotel staff are stretched thin, often required to manage tasks meant for more staff members. This expectation places unnecessary stress on employees, prioritizing speed over quality service. A Marriott Palace Hotel staff member in San Francisco voiced concerns: “Since COVID, they’re expecting us to give five-star service with three-star staff.”

In Baltimore, hotel housekeepers are advocating for a wage increase to $20 per hour from the current $16.20. In Boston, where wages are $28 per hour, the union seeks a $10 per hour raise over four years.

Hilton and Hyatt affirmed their commitment to negotiating fairly with the union, while Hyatt prepared contingency plans to mitigate potential operational impacts from the strike, according to Michael D’Angelo, head of labor relations at the hotel chain. Marriott did not provide feedback on the matter.

The strike coincides with 40,000 Unite Here hotel workers across 20 cities facing contract expirations this year. Negotiations for new four-year contracts, ongoing since May, have seen 15,000 workers authorize strikes across 12 markets.

Gwen Mills, President of Unite Here, expressed, “We won’t accept a ‘new normal’ where hotel companies profit by cutting their offerings to guests and abandoning their commitments to workers,” pushing for improved contract terms.

The union has called on travelers to cancel hotel reservations if workers are on strike and to seek penalty-free refunds.

In 2023, Unite Here secured historic contracts in Los Angeles after a series of rolling strikes and in Detroit after a 47-day strike.