Labour Day USA: Thousands of Hotel Workers Strike Across the Country

Labour Day USA: A Historic Strike

More than 10,000 hotel workers at 24 hotels, stretching from Boston to the West Coast and Hawaii, initiated a strike early Sunday morning, creating disruptions in travel during a busy Labour Day weekend. This action has raised significant concerns as the hotels continue to operate but with a drastically reduced staff unable to provide full services. Gwen Mills, International President of UNITE HERE, stated, “We’re on strike because the hotel industry has gotten off track.”

Workers Demand Better Pay and Working Conditions

• The union, representing the striking workers, emphasizes the need for rose pay and the restoration of standard services.
• Aissata Seck, a banquet food server, detailed her struggles as rent has skyrocketed while her pay remains stagnant.
• Workers like Apple Ratanabunsrithang express concerns about maintaining health care benefits amidst rising living costs.

The Scope of the Strike

The striking hotels include big names like Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott, collectively managing 23,000 rooms in major cities. The potential expansion could affect up to 65 hotels across 12 different cities if negotiations do not progress.

Future Implications and Labour Day Context

This limited strike and its implications come at a time of expected high travel during Labour Day, with AAA reporting a projected 9% increase in domestic travel. With a repeat of last year’s strikes possible, the union and hotel chains face critical negotiations ahead.