Over 10,000 hotel workers across the U.S. went on strike during Labor Day weekend, demanding higher pay, fairer workloads, and the reversal of COVID-19-era cuts. The strikes, which highlight the ongoing struggles of a workforce largely made up of women of color, are expected to continue for several days.
Nationwide Hotel Strikes
On Labor Day, more than 10,000 workers at 25 hotels across the United States participated in strikes organized by the UNITE HERE union. The workers, primarily housekeepers and other hospitality employees, used the holiday weekend to amplify their calls for better pay, manageable workloads, and the restoration of services reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Strikes Spread Across Major Cities
The strikes impacted major hotel chains, including Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt, in cities such as Honolulu, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, and San Jose. Nearly half of the striking workers, about 5,000, are located in Honolulu. The strikes are expected to last between one and three days, with the possibility of expanding to additional cities like New Haven, Oakland, and Providence.
Union’s Standpoint
UNITE HERE President Gwen Mills emphasized that the strikes are part of a broader effort to secure fair compensation for service workers, particularly those in the hospitality industry, which is predominantly staffed by women and people of color. Mills pointed out that these workers are often undervalued compared to those in more traditionally male-dominated industries.
Demands and Hotel Responses
A key demand of the unionized housekeepers is the reinstatement of automatic daily room cleaning, which many hotels cut back during the pandemic and have not fully restored. Workers argue that these cuts have led to unmanageable workloads and reduced hours, impacting their income. On the other hand, hotel chains, like Hyatt, argue that guest preferences have shifted away from daily room cleaning. Hyatt’s head of labor relations, Michael D’Angelo, expressed disappointment over the strike, stating that the company remains open to negotiations.
Future Outlook
As the strikes continue, the union has indicated that up to 15,000 workers have voted to authorize further strikes, which could soon extend to other cities. The outcome of these negotiations will be crucial in determining the future working conditions and compensation for thousands of hotel workers across the nation.
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