More than 1,500 hotel workers in San Francisco went on strike this week, demanding fairer wages and working conditions from major chains like Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt. This strike is part of a larger movement that has affected over 13,500 hotel employees across several states, including California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts. Workers argue that despite the industry’s post-pandemic recovery and record profits, they continue to face low wages, reduced staffing, and difficult workloads.
Key Facts:
- Over 1,500 hotel workers in San Francisco went on strike on Monday.
- Workers demand better wages, affordable health care, and a reversal of Covid-era staffing cuts.
- Over 13,500 workers have participated in strikes at various hotels across multiple states.
- Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt are the main hotel chains affected by these protests.
- Hyatt responded, stating it is willing to continue bargaining but is disappointed with the strike.
The Rest of the Story:
The ongoing hotel worker strikes have escalated, with over 1,500 workers walking off the job in San Francisco, joining a growing number of employees across the U.S. demanding fair treatment. Strikes have also affected hotels in Massachusetts, Hawaii, Connecticut, Washington, and California, highlighting widespread discontent in the industry. At the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, 720 workers have been on strike since September 1st, Quartz reported.
Workers like Jin Ling Xie, a decade-long housekeeper at Hilton San Francisco Union Square, are calling for better pay. She shared her struggles of juggling two jobs just to make ends meet, especially with rising concerns about her children’s education. “I love my job, and going on strike wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s what I have to do for my family,” she explained.
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Union leaders emphasize the need for hotel corporations to reverse pandemic-era staffing cuts that reduced hotel services. Gwen Mills, International President of Unite Here, pointed out that staffing for occupied rooms has declined by 13% from 2019 to 2022.
“Hotels and hotel workers all suffered during the pandemic, but now the hotel industry is making record profits,” Mills said. “These huge hotel corporations can afford to reverse Covid-era cuts and give us wages that are enough to live on, health care that’s affordable, and workloads that don’t break your body.”
The hotels forget that their profits all come from hard working people like us…
✊ But we’ll remind them. Over 1500 hotel workers in San Francisco are ON STRIKE for affordable health care, good raises, fair workloads – and respect. pic.twitter.com/GqOZMBL0r4
— UNITE HERE Local 2 (@UniteHereL2) September 23, 2024
In response to the ongoing strike, Hyatt issued the following statement:
“[…] Hyatt has a long history of cooperation with the unions that represent our employees, including Unite Here Local 2,” Michael D’Angelo, head of labor relations at Hyatt’s hotels in the Americas, said. “We are disappointed that Unite Here Local 2 has chosen to strike once again while Hyatt remains willing to continue bargaining in good faith.”
While Hyatt issued a statement expressing disappointment over the strike, other companies, including Marriott and Hilton, have remained silent. Unite Here insists they will continue to fight until workers see real changes.
Commentary:
For travelers planning a hotel stay, it’s wise to check whether the hotel you’re considering is currently affected by these strikes. The ongoing labor disputes could impact the quality of services, from housekeeping to front desk support. With negotiations ongoing, it’s unclear when the strikes will be resolved. Until such time, travelers should also be prepared for disruptions during their stays.
The Bottom Line:
Hotel workers in San Francisco and across the U.S. are striking for fair wages, reasonable workloads, and better health care. As major hotel corporations enjoy record profits post-pandemic, employees are pushing back against reduced staffing levels and demanding higher wages.
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While the outcome of these strikes is still uncertain, the movement is certainly disrupting the industry with no end in sight.
