Hotel workers strike Labor Day

As many as 10,000 hotel workers across 25 cities in the U.S. launched a multi-day strike on Labor Day weekend, demanding higher wages and better working conditions after contract negotiations with major hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt stalled. The strikes, which are particularly impactful during a busy travel period, have affected hotels in major metropolitan areas including San Francisco, Seattle, and Boston. Workers are expressing frustration over increased workloads due to permanent layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many claiming they are expected to perform the duties of multiple staff members while not receiving commensurate pay. The hospitality union UNITE HERE, representing these workers, argues that while hotel profits have soared, employee wages have not kept pace with living costs. Despite claims from the American Hotel and Lodging Association that wages have risen since the pandemic, hotel workers report that many still struggle to afford living in the cities where they work. The situation highlights ongoing labor disputes within an industry still recovering from the pandemic's impacts.