Thousands of hotel workers associated with the Unite Here union have gone on strike in eight cities, demanding higher wages and increased staffing. The strike, which began on Sunday, is expected to last for several days. The affected hotels include those operated by major chains such as Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton, Westin (Marriott), and Fairmont.
The workers are calling for “higher wages, fair staffing and workloads,” as well as a reversal of wage cuts implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many workers argue that the current wages are insufficient to cover the cost of living, forcing them to take on multiple jobs to make ends meet.
The Unite Here union has highlighted the fact that room rates in the hotel industry are at “record highs,” with the sector generating over $100 billion in gross operating profit in 2022. This raises questions about the distribution of profits and whether workers are receiving their fair share.
This strike is not the first time that Unite Here has taken action. Last year, the union organized strikes at multiple hotels, leading to a wave of worker protests across the country. The union claims that this was the largest hotel worker strike wave in modern history, with workers striking at 53 hotels over 160 times.
However, some of Unite Here’s demands during previous strikes have faced criticism. For example, a strike in Los Angeles called for hotels to support a ballot measure requiring them to house homeless people. Hotel owners argued that this demand was unrelated to employees and therefore not a legitimate part of the negotiations.
The current strike comes at a time when hotels are facing staffing shortages. A survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association found that more than three-quarters of respondents were experiencing a staffing shortage. As a result, hotels have been raising wages, offering better flexibility with working hours, and expanding benefits to attract and retain employees. Despite these efforts, nearly 80% of respondents reported being unable to fill positions, with housekeeping being identified as the most critical staffing need.
In light of the strike and the ongoing staffing shortages, it is clear that there are significant challenges facing the hotel industry. While workers are demanding fair wages and better working conditions, hotel owners are grappling with the need to attract and retain employees. Finding a balance between these competing demands will be crucial for the industry’s future success.
The Epoch Times reached out to the hotels affected by the current strikes for comment, but no responses were provided at the time of writing. This lack of response may reflect the tensions and complexities surrounding the labor dispute and the broader issues facing the hotel industry.
