Marriott Strike Ends in Several Cities
by Jessica Montevago /
Marriott employees in Boston have ended their strike after 46 days.
Union officials announced that workers ratified a new contract agreement over the weekend, with 677 voted in favor of accepting the new contract and with nine voting against it. The details of the new contract were not disclosed, due to ongoing strikes in other cities.
“Hotel workers stood strong for more than six weeks in the wind, the rain, and the snow, up against the largest hotel company in the world. It was a hard-fought victory, but in the end, Marriott showed leadership and listened to our members’ concerns," union president Brian Lang said in a statement.
"From day one, we’ve encouraged Marriott to use their leadership in the hotel industry to make jobs in their hotels enough to live on, and today’s settlement goes a long way for Boston workers.”
Housekeepers, bartenders and other service workers walked off the job in early October in demand of higher wages and job security after months of contract negotiations. They were subsequently joined by employees in other cities. At the strike’s peak, nearly 8,000 workers in eight cities walked off the job at Marriott-operated hotels.
“We are looking forward to welcoming our associates back to work,” Marriott said in a written statement.
Marriott also reached agreements with workers in Detroit, San Jose, Oakland, and San Diego.
Only San Francisco and various locations in Hawaii are still picketing, according to Unite Here, at hotels that include St. Regis San Francisco, W San Francisco, Sheraton Maui Hotel by Marriott, and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani by Marriott. More than 3,500 workers are still on strike there.