Over Labor Day weekend, approximately 10,000 hotel workers in eight US cities went on strike to demand better pay and conditions. The UNITE HERE union led the strike after failed contract negotiations with Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott hotel chains. The union’s international president, Gwen Mills, stated that workers were not being paid enough to support their families and were facing increased workloads without standard services like daily housekeeping. The strikes have also been authorised in four more cities and could begin at any time.
Hyatt expressed disappointment in the decision to strike, emphasizing their history of cooperation with unions and their commitment to fair contracts. Hilton and Marriott did not provide immediate comments on the situation. The strike comes at a time when the travel industry is experiencing a surge, with AAA reporting a 9% increase in bookings over the Labor Day weekend compared to the previous year, and the TSA expecting a record 17 million travelers during the period. The union’s strike highlights the ongoing challenges faced by workers in the hospitality industry, as companies seek to cut costs despite making record profits during the pandemic. As negotiations continue, the impact of the strike on hotel operations remains to be seen.
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