🛌 More than 10000 US hotel workers strike on Labor Day 👇
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In a bold move over the Labor Day weekend, approximately 10,000 hotel workers across major U.S. cities, including Boston, Honolulu, San Francisco, San Diego, and Seattle, have walked off the job, demanding better pay and working conditions in what was describes as the “nation's largest hotel worker strike in history". As it had impacted around 60 hotels over 160 times.
The strike, spearheaded by the UNITE HERE union, has hit several leading hotel chains—Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott—after contract negotiations failed to produce a new agreement.
Swen Mills, International President of UNITE HERE, emphasized that the strike was timed to coincide with one of the year's busiest travel weekends. "Hotels have reaped record profits post-pandemic, yet they continue to cut costs by reducing essential services like daily housekeeping and room service," Mills stated. "Workers are struggling to make ends meet, many unable to afford living in the very cities where they welcome guests."
The strike underscores growing tensions in the hospitality industry, where cost-cutting measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been fully reversed, despite a significant recovery in the sector.
Workers argue that their increased workloads and stagnant wages are unsustainable, demanding a return to pre-pandemic service standards and fair compensation that reflects the current economic reality.
Michael D’Angelo, head of U.S. labor relations at Hyatt, expressed disappointment at the strike, noting the chain’s "long history of cooperation" with unions and commitment to negotiating fair contracts. Both Hilton and Marriott have yet to comment.
With travel bookings up 9% compared to last year and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) predicting a record 17 million travelers over the holiday period, the strike could have significant implications for guests and hotel operations alike.
As the labor dispute unfolds, it highlights a broader issue in the U.S. economy: the growing divide between corporate profits and worker well-being, particularly in industries hardest hit by the pandemic.
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Source: Bloomberg