Over 10,000 hotel workers in the United States have gone on strike in eight cities, including Boston, Honolulu, and San Francisco, demanding better pay and conditions. The UNITE HERE union organized the strike, citing cost-cutting measures introduced during the pandemic despite hotel chains like Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott making record profits. UNITE HERE International President Gwen Mills stated that workers are struggling to support their families and cannot afford to live in the cities where they work, with increased workloads causing physical strain. More strikes are authorized in cities like Baltimore and Oakland.
Hyatt expressed disappointment in the strike, noting their history of cooperation with unions and their commitment to fair negotiations. Hilton and Marriott have not yet responded to the situation. The Labor Day weekend is a peak travel period in the US, with AAA reporting a 9% increase in bookings compared to last year and the TSA expecting a record 17 million travelers. The strikes come at a time when the hospitality industry is seeing increased demand but workers feel they are not being adequately compensated for their work. It remains to be seen how the hotel chains will respond and how the strikes will affect operations during this busy holiday weekend.
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