Hotel labor strikes wind down in major US cities — but continue in San Francisco
Editor's Note
New labor contracts are arriving in many top U.S. travel destinations that have grappled with hotel worker strikes for close to two months.
Nearly 2,000 workers have reached a tentative deal for a new labor contract and ended a strike at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. The move comes as workers have struck new labor contract deals in cities like Boston and San Diego at hotels with brand ties to Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt.
Across the country, local Unite Here chapters representing hotel workers — including housekeepers, front desk agents, cooks, dishwashers, servers, bartenders, bellhops and door attendants — have been negotiating for higher wages, better working conditions and more employee protections. Many hotel labor contracts expired Aug. 31.
Related: Major US hospitality labor group calls for investigation into hotel loyalty programs
While signs point to momentum in favor of hotel workers, there are still strikes underway in the Bay Area. In San Francisco, indefinite hotel worker strikes are currently underway at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco, the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square, the San Francisco Marriott Union Square and the Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco — also affiliated with Marriott.
"Momentum is building as hotel workers across the U.S. fight for decent pay and fair workloads," Gwen Mills, international president of Unite Here, said in a statement. "Our recent settlements prove that jobs at Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott can be genuinely good, family-sustaining jobs, and strikes will continue until workers in all our cities have won contracts that deliver on that promise."
Spokespeople for major brands like Hilton and Hyatt previously told TPG that contingency plans are in place to minimize disruptions during a strike. But Unite Here warns guests that services will likely be suspended while hotels operate with skeleton staffing.
Picket lines will run outside the affected hotels for up to 24 hours each day, and hotels may suspend some services while operating with a limited staff. If you have an upcoming trip to one of the affected hotels, call ahead of your arrival at your hotel to see if strikes have an impact on operations.
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