Thousands of Hotel Workers Begin Strikes In Eight U.S. Cities

Thousands of hotel workers across the U.S. went on strike on Sunday, the first of many days of planned work stoppages that could greatly impact guest experiences over the next few weeks.

Members of the UNITE HERE union, which includes employees of Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott in 24 cities including Boston, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Seattle, went on strike on Sunday, during the busy Labor Day weekend, as the union continues contract negotiations with the hotel companies.

The growing list of properties includes major hotels such as Fairmont Copley Plaza and Hilton Boston Park Plaza in Boston, The Royal Hawaiian and Sheraton Waikiki in Honolulu, and the Grand Hyatt Union Square and Hilton Union Square in San Francisco.

UNITE HERE says each strike will last two or three days and that strikes in other cities, including Baltimore, Oakland, and Providence, could “begin at any time.” The full list of properties impacted is available through the UNITE HERE website.

UNITE HERE is seeking higher wages and a reversal of COVID-era cuts, which it says are still in place. It said that even with room rates at record highs and gross operating profits over $100 billion, hotel staffing is down, and employees are pressured “to go faster and faster instead of calling in more people to work.”

“Too many hotels still haven’t restored standard services that guests deserve, like automatic daily housekeeping and room service. Workers aren’t making enough to support their families,” UNITE HERE International President Gwen Mills said.

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

UNITE HERE is the union that represented Los Angeles hotel workers during their strike in July 2023. The union was able to record contracts at several hotels during those negotiations.