Some 10,000 hotel workers began a multi-day strike Sunday in several US cities after contract negotiations with Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide and Hyatt Hotels stalled, the UNITE HERE union said.
The strike affects 25 hotels in eight cities, including Boston, San Francisco and Honolulu. Workers are demanding higher wages and a return to pre-Covid-19 staffing levels.
The strike coincides with a busy holiday weekend, with millions of Americans expected to travel. The American Automobile Association (AAA) reports a 9% increase in domestic travel for Labor Day compared to last year.
Unionized cleaners are calling for the restoration of daily room cleaning services at major hotel chains. They point to increased workloads, reduced hours and lower wages as key concerns.
The strike underscores broader frustrations among hotel workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic and now face staffing shortages and changing travel trends.
Some 15,000 workers have authorized strikes in 12 markets, with possible actions in Baltimore, New Haven, Oakland and Providence.
The union warns that strikes could begin in these cities at any time.
Workers report being overworked, with three staff members doing the work of four. This has led to increased stress and lower quality service.
“Since COVID, they expect us to provide five-star service with three-star staff,” one worker at Marriott’s Palace Hotel in San Francisco told the union.
In Baltimore, housekeepers are asking for a wage increase from $16.20 to $20 per hour currently.
In Boston, where housekeepers earn $28 an hour, the union is pushing for a $10 an hour increase over the next four years.
Hilton and Hyatt have expressed their commitment to reaching an agreement with the union.
Hyatt has prepared contingency plans to reduce the impact of potential strikes, according to Michael D’Angelo, Hyatt’s director of labor relations.
The strike is part of broader negotiations involving 40,000 UNITE HERE hotel workers in 20 cities, whose contracts are set to expire this year.
Negotiations for new four-year contracts began in May.
“We will not accept a ‘new normal’ where hospitality companies profit by cutting their offerings to guests and abandoning their commitments to workers,” said UNITE HERE President Gwen Mills.
The union advises travelers to cancel hotel stays if workers are on strike and to request refunds without penalty.
In 2023, UNITE HERE secured record-breaking contracts in Los Angeles and Detroit following strikes.
In Honolulu, 5,000 workers went on strike, affecting 10,557 rooms.
The union criticised hotels for using the pandemic as an excuse to cut staff and services, leading to job and income losses for workers.
According to Agence France-Presse, strikers have been seen picketing in Boston and a demonstration is planned for Monday.
Hyatt has expressed disappointment over the strike and reiterated its willingness to negotiate, saying it has contingency plans in place.
Hilton and Marriott have not yet commented.
[Parte de la información para este informe procede de Reuters, The Associated Press y Agence France-Presse]
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