Hotel Workers in Four U.S. Cities Prepare for Strike Votes Amid Stalled Talks

UNITE HERE, a union representing hospitality workers, is preparing for potential labor action as negotiations with major hotel chains falter. Approximately 13,500 unionized hotel employees in four U.S. cities are set to participate in strike authorization votes starting in the first week of August 2024, one year after initial plans were announced.

The votes will take place in Boston, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Providence, Rhode Island, involving workers from 125 hotels. These employees, seeking significant improvements in their contracts, are negotiating with industry giants Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, and Hyatt Hotels Corp.

Workers' demands include substantial pay raises, enhanced healthcare and pension plans, and the reversal of service reductions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The average hourly wage for hotel workers in the U.S. stands at approximately $13.50 as of 2023, highlighting the financial challenges faced by many in the industry.

Elena Duran, a server at Marriott's Palace Hotel in San Francisco, expressed the workers' readiness for action, stating, > "We are getting ready. Seeing the proposals from the hotels, people are not happy."

The Palace Hotel, a historic establishment opened in 1875, serves as a symbol of the industry's rich history and current labor tensions.

Carlos Aramayo, president of UNITE HERE Local 26 in Boston, echoed this sentiment, describing the initial proposals from hotel operators as insulting. The negotiations reflect broader challenges in the hospitality sector, which employs about 2 million people in the United States.

The potential strikes come as the hotel industry continues its uneven recovery from the pandemic, which caused global revenue to plummet by 50% in 2020. Luxury and resort properties have rebounded faster, but labor shortages remain a significant hurdle, with many workers not returning to their pre-pandemic positions.

In response to the planned votes, a Hyatt spokesperson expressed disappointment but assured that contingency plans are in place to maintain hotel operations. Hilton emphasized its historically cooperative relationship with the union, while Marriott did not provide immediate comment.

The situation extends beyond these four cities, with an additional 26,500 hospitality workers in 16 U.S. cities also engaged in contract negotiations. This widespread labor activity underscores the ongoing challenges in the hotel industry, which had a global market size of $570.18 billion in 2022.

As the industry grapples with these labor issues, it also faces evolving guest expectations. The concept of daily room cleaning, now a point of contention in negotiations, became standard in luxury hotels in the early 20th century but has been reevaluated in recent years.

The outcome of these negotiations and potential strikes could have significant implications for the hospitality sector, potentially influencing industry standards and worker conditions across the United States.