by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 10:15 AM ET, Mon September 2, 2024
UPDATE: Monday, September 2 at 10:15 a.m. ET
Nationwide strikes impacting hotels are scheduled to continue as walkouts have been authorized in at least eight other cities.
Both Hilton and Hyatt responded with statements saying they would like to continue negotiating in good faith.
Hyatt labor relations chief Michael D’Angelo said: “We look forward to continuing to negotiate fair contracts and recognize the contributions of Hyatt employees.”
UNITE HERE International president Gwen Mills said: “Workers aren’t making enough to support their families. Many can no longer afford to live in the cities that they welcome guests to...We won’t accept a ‘new normal’ where hotel companies profit by cutting their offerings to guests and abandoning their commitments to workers.”
The union is asking tourists to boycott any hotel that is currently under strike until a new contract is reached.
ORIGINAL TEXT
With a busy Labor Day about to kick-off, thousands of hotel workers in locations across the country are gearing up to go on strike.
The workers are seeking new contracts with major hotel companies, according to a report from Huff Post.
About 15,000 workers from the union Unite Here have authorized a strike, which would impact properties run by such household name brands as Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Omni.
So what does that mean for travelers?
For starters, unions are apparently warning travelers that they may encounter picket lines over the coming weeks, even as soon as this weekend, per Huff Post.
Here’s a breakdown of where the strikes may occur, by city:
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Greenwich and New Haven, Connecticut
- Honolulu and Kauai, Hawaii
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose, California
- Seattle, Washington
The union Unite Here has about 265,000 members across the United States. Representatives from Unite Here have said this is the first time workers in so many cities have approved a strike.
The concerns of the hotel workers include workload issues and cutting of services. Union workers are also seeking significant raises for various types of workers including housekeepers and food service workers. Staffing levels are also an issue of contention, according to Huff Post.
Hilton, Marriott and Omni did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday from Huff Post.
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