Hotel Workers Strike Update: San Diego Strike Ongoing, Sacramento to Take Vote

While most of the Labor Day hotel workers strikes lasted only about two to three days, workers at one hotel are continuing to strike, and more could be on the way. 

About 700 employees of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront have now been on strike for 10 days and counting. Meanwhile, about 150 hotel workers at Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento will take a strike authorization vote tomorrow. 

This comes on the heels of more than 10,000 hotel employees going on strike in nine U.S. cities over the Labor Day weekend at Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and Omni properties. Workers are demanding higher wages and the restoration of COVID-era staffing cuts. 

“I’m ready to strike because I need a raise to support my kids,” said Shamika Ofaire, a public areas housekeeper at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento. “Going to the grocery store is so stressful, because my paycheck is not enough. My kids are growing, and I want to be able to buy them the clothes they like, the cereals they want, or even the personal hygiene products they need. But the way I get paid, I can’t afford it. My wages are just not matching the prices.”   

Represented by the union UNITE HERE, workers have so far authorized strikes in 12 cities: Baltimore, Boston, Honolulu, Greenwich, Kauai, New Haven, Oakland, Providence, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle. 

Now Sacramento could be added to the list as soon as tomorrow. UNITE HERE says the strikes “may begin at any time.” The union is updating its website as new strikes arise and has prepared a travel guide for those with reservations at the affected hotels. 

Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt hotel groups have not responded to TMR’s requests for comment.