U.S. Hotel Workers Strike for Better Pay and Conditions Over Labor Day Weekend

Over the Labor Day weekend, approximately 10,000 hotel workers across the United States launched a strike, demanding better pay and improved working conditions. The strike, which began on Sunday, took place in eight major cities, including Boston, Honolulu, San Francisco, San Diego, and Seattle. Workers decided to walk off the job after negotiations between the UNITE HERE union and prominent hotel chains such as Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott failed to produce an agreement.

Union Demands and Pandemic Cost-Cutting Measures

The union’s international president, Gwen Mills, stated that the strike was timed to put pressure on hotels over the busy Labor Day weekend. She criticized hotel chains for not reversing cost-cutting measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the industry now experiencing record profits.

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

Mills added that many workers cannot afford to live in the cities where they work, and are suffering from physically demanding workloads.

Impact on Hotel Operations

The strike has affected hotels in Baltimore, New Haven, Oakland, and Providence, with potential walkouts looming in these cities if contract agreements remain unresolved.

Michael D’Angelo, the head of U.S. labor relations at Hyatt, expressed disappointment at the union’s decision to strike but affirmed the company’s commitment to continue negotiations. He noted that Hyatt hotels have contingency plans to minimize disruptions caused by the strike.

While Hilton and Marriott have yet to comment, the timing of the strike—during one of the year’s busiest travel periods—raises concerns about its impact on travelers.

Labor Day Weekend Travel Surge

The strike coincides with the Labor Day weekend, one of the busiest travel periods in the U.S. The AAA reported that bookings for the holiday weekend were up 9 percent compared to last year. Additionally, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) predicted that a record 17 million travelers would be flying during the period.

The strike may affect hotel operations and services, adding potential disruptions to the already busy travel weekend.