Business

Thousands of hotel workers strike across US cities over failed contract talks

By
Reuters
Published Sep. 1, 2024, 12:03 p.m. ET

NEW YORK — Thousands of U.S. hotel workers in several cities are on a multi-day strike after contract talks with hotel operators Marriott International MAR.O, Hilton Worldwide HLT.N, and Hyatt Hotels H.N reached an impasse, the Unite Here union said on Sunday.

Unite Here, which represents workers in hotels, casinos, and airports across the United States and Canada, said more than 4,000 workers are on strike in San Francisco and San Jose in California, as well as Boston, Seattle, and Greenwich, Connecticut, with hotel workers from additional cities ready to join the walkout as the Labor Day holiday weekend continues.

“Strikes have also been authorized and could begin at any time” in Baltimore, Honolulu, Kauai, New Haven, Oakland, Providence and San Diego, the union said in a statement as hotel workers and operators struggle to agree on wages and on reversing pandemic-era job cuts.

Hotel workers holding signs as they march and protest for their rights in Los Angeles, while a bus driver waits to cross the road, captured on October 25, 2023.
Hotel workers march and protest, while a bus driver waits to cross the road, during a strike in Los Angeles, California, October 25, 2023. REUTERS

This Labor Day weekend, thousands of hotel workers will be on strike as the industry faces an influx of travelers, with AAA booking data showing a 9% increase in domestic travel compared to last year.

Hyatt said in a statement it is disappointed by the unions’ decision to strike. “We look forward to continuing to negotiate fair contracts and recognize the contributions of Hyatt employees,” Michael D’Angelo, head of labor relations at Hyatt said.

Hyatt said it has contingency plans in place to minimize the impact on hotel operations related to potential strike activity.

Marriott and Hilton did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The strike comes as 40,000 Unite Here hotel workers across 20 cities face expiring contracts this year. About 15,000 of those workers have authorized strikes in 12 markets. Negotiations for new four-year contracts have been taking place since May.

“We won’t accept a ‘new normal’ where hotel companies profit by cutting their offerings to guests and abandoning their commitments to workers,” Unite Here President Gwen Mills said, demanding a better deal.

The union has urged travelers to cancel their hotel stays if the workers are on strike and demand penalty-free refunds.

Unite Here workers in 2023 won record contracts in Los Angeles following rolling strikes, and in Detroit after a 47-day strike.