Over the Labor Day weekend, approximately 10,000 hotel workers across eight U.S. cities staged a strike to demand improved pay and working conditions. The walkouts occurred in major cities such as Boston, Honolulu, San Francisco, San Diego, and Seattle, following failed contract negotiations between the UNITE HERE union and prominent hotel chains, including Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott.
Gwen Mills, the International President of UNITE HERE, stated that the union initiated the strike ahead of Labor Day as a response to the hotels’ refusal to reverse cost-cutting measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite these companies reportedly achieving record profits. Mills highlighted ongoing issues like the absence of standard services such as automatic daily housekeeping and room service, which had not been reinstated. She also emphasized the financial struggles faced by workers, who are increasingly unable to afford living in the cities where they work, coupled with the physically demanding workloads that have taken a toll on their health.
“We refuse to accept a ‘new normal’ where hotel companies thrive by reducing services for guests and neglecting their commitments to workers,” Mills said in a statement.
The union also indicated that additional strikes could occur in cities like Baltimore, New Haven, Oakland, and Providence, where walkouts have already been authorized.
Michael D’Angelo, head of U.S. labor relations at Hyatt, expressed disappointment over the strike, noting the chain’s “long history of cooperation” with unions. He added that Hyatt remains committed to negotiating fair contracts and recognizing the contributions of its employees. D’Angelo assured that Hyatt hotels have contingency plans to mitigate the impact of the strike on hotel operations.
Representatives from Hilton and Marriott did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Labor Day weekend is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods in the U.S. This year, bookings increased by 9 percent compared to the previous year, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) also projected a record 17 million travelers during the holiday period.