Approximately 13,500 unionized hotel workers across Boston, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Providence, Rhode Island, are set to vote on strike authorization in early August.
The workers, represented by UNITE HERE, are in stalled contract negotiations with major hotel chains Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, and Hyatt Hotels Corp.
Key issues include demands for significant pay raises, improved healthcare and pension plans, and the reversal of pandemic-era staff and service cuts, such as daily room cleaning.
Workers at 125 hotels in these cities have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposals from the hotel operators.
Carlos Aramayo, president of UNITE HERE Local 26 in Boston, highlighted the significant gap between the union’s demands and the hotels’ offers.
Additionally, 26,500 more hospitality workers in 16 other U.S. cities, also represented by UNITE HERE, are in the midst of negotiating new contracts.
Hyatt expressed disappointment over the strike votes but assured that contingency plans are in place to maintain hotel operations. Hilton emphasized its cooperative relationship with the union, while Marriott has not responded to requests for comment.