Thousands of U.S. hotel workers chose Labor Day weekend to strike, seeking higher wages and better working conditions.
At a Glance
- Over 10,000 workers at 25 hotels across the U.S. went on strike on September 2.
- The strike, organized by UNITE HERE, saw nearly half of the workers in Honolulu.
- Major hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt were targeted.
- The strike aims to compel employers to improve wages, workload fairness, and reverse COVID-era cuts.
Strikes Sweep Across Major Cities
On September 2, more than 10,000 hotel workers initiated strikes at 25 hotels nationwide. The protests were spearheaded by the UNITE HERE union, which stands for hospitality employees demanding fair pay and working conditions. Over half of the strikers were concentrated in Honolulu, while the rest were distributed across Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, and San Jose.
Workers specifically targeted the busiest period of the year to highlight their grievances. The striking workers were strategically chosen and positioned to have the maximum impact on the holiday’s peak tourism season. Major hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt faced service disruptions as employees walked off their jobs for one to three days.
Thousands of U.S. hotel workers strike over Labor Day weekend https://t.co/856M3KrHMr
— TIME (@TIME) September 2, 2024
Union Demands
The strikers demand higher wages, fairer workloads, and the reversal of cuts made during the pandemic. Alma Navarro, a banquet server in San Jose, highlighted issues such as the need for better healthcare, a living wage, and increased pension contributions. Unionized housekeepers also aim to reinstate automatic daily room cleaning, a service many hotels claim guests no longer request.
“Hospitality work overall is undervalued, and it’s not a coincidence that it’s disproportionately women and people of color doing the work,” Mills said.
Hotel employers argue that their policies reflect guest preferences. However, Hyatt and Hilton have contingency plans to minimize disruptions, and Marriott did not provide a comment. Hyatt’s Labor Relations expressed disappointment over the strike but stated willingness to negotiate. Hilton remains committed to negotiating fair agreements.
Broader Implications
The strike underscores broader issues within the hospitality industry, where union leaders claim pandemic-era job cuts increased workloads and deteriorated working conditions. Gwen Mills mentioned that hotel workers cannot afford to live in the cities they serve, often requiring multiple jobs to make ends meet.
“The hotel industry has rebounded from the pandemic, and room rates are at record highs,” Gwen Mills, Unite Here’s international president, said in a statement. “But hotel workers can’t afford to live in the cities that they welcome guests to. Too many hotel workers have to work two or sometimes three jobs in order to make ends meet. –
Previous labor actions in Southern California brought significant wage increases and workload guarantees. The Culinary Workers Union in Nevada also secured a 32% pay increase over five years. Unite Here aims to replicate these successes in ongoing negotiations and strikes authorized in Baltimore, Providence, Oakland, and New Haven.
