Most of the 10,000 hotel workers who went on strike during the Labor Day weekend have returned to work, but 700 union members at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront have decided to remain on strike until a contract agreement is reached. The strike impacted as many as 25 hotels in nine US cities, with Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott properties among those targeted. Despite the strike, the hotels remained open during the weekend, although guests experienced noisy picket lines and reduced service from skeleton crews.
The union and its members are calling for fair wages and benefits, as many workers are now being paid less than they were before the pandemic due to reduced hours and tips. Workers are demanding a restoration of daily room cleaning services, which not only inconveniences guests but also makes housekeeping jobs more difficult. The union claims that lack of daily room cleaning has resulted in a 39% reduction in housekeeping jobs.
The affected hotel companies state that they are committed to reaching fair deals with the union and ensuring that guests are not inconvenienced by the strike. The union, on the other hand, is pushing for better wages and working conditions for its members, highlighting the disparity between record profits in the hotel sector and the struggles faced by workers and guests. The union has not ruled out expanding the strike to other locations or using a rolling strikes strategy, as it has done in the past to achieve favorable contracts.
Limited duration strikes are a relatively new strategy for US unions but are common in other countries, particularly in Europe. These strikes aim to help workers maintain as many days of pay as possible during contract negotiations. The union struggled to reach agreements with most of the Southern California hotels impacted by the recent strike, but ultimately secured record contracts this year. Union members at a total of 65 hotels nationwide had authorized a strike going into the Labor Day weekend, indicating the potential for future strike action.
Despite the challenges faced by workers in the hotel industry, the strike demonstrates their commitment to fighting for better working conditions and fair pay. The union’s efforts to organize and mobilize its members have proven effective in negotiating favorable contracts in the past. Additionally, the support and solidarity of other labor groups have strengthened the union’s position in its negotiations with hotel companies. Moving forward, the union may continue to utilize limited duration strikes and other strategies to achieve its goals and improve the lives of its members.
