Over 10,000 hotel workers have walked off the job in nine large U.S. cities as part of a notable labor movement. The walkout, calling for better pay and demanding the restoration of cuts in staffing and services made during Covid-19’s peak demands began after contract talks with Unite Here stalled.
Background of the Strike
The hospitality industry was slammed by the pandemic, leading hotels nationwide to slash staff and services just to survive. Demand — and with it prices— began to soar as the world returned to normal, yet many hotels remained shuttered, having never re-openened jobs or services that were cut. In short, workers who were chronically overworked and underpaid on top of that suddenly found their line speeds shifted into high gear with none of the resources or support to keep up.
The Unite Here union, which represents workers in the hospitality industry across the US, started to push for new contracts that would not only boost pay but also put a stop to what had become low-staffing and reduced-service endemic. But the union hit a wall in negotiations with hotel management and called for a walkout instead.
Cities Affected by the Strike
The walkout comes per day after it struck Seattle, Chicago and other major hospitality hubs. The cities involved include:
- San Francisco
- Las Vegas
- Chicago
- Boston
- Washington, D.C.
- Miami
- Seattle
Some of the nation’s biggest and most well-known hotels are in these cities, which means the strike already is affecting operations there. Guests are saying it has made wait times longer, decreased the amount of service in some cases and even put an end to certain hotel amenities.
Key Demands of the Workers
The strikers, whose union is Unite Here, demand several key things. These are demands that seek to improve pay, conditions and jobs security. The primary demands include:
1. Higher Wages
This new labor contract struggle comes as hotel workers say they are also feeling the increasing pinch of inflation and complaints over shrinking room size, as hotels have them doing more with less staff for a bundle. Most Paying In Past Minimum-Wage Workers: wyomingpublicmedia Respond The majority of the companies that have been hammered by economic disasters during COVID-19 pay low wages, according to a new study.
2. Covid-Caused Layoffs Reversed
A number of hotels laid off workers to save money during the pandemic. Now that the economy is improving, workers say they should be brought back. Reduced staffing levels (through natural attrition) have caused employees to be overloaded with work, too much of which they might not even be qualified for.
3. Restoration of Full Services
During the pandemic, hotels that remained open cut staff positions and some limited services. Some of the amenities, like daily room cleaning and concierge services, were either significantly scaled down or nixed altogether. It has workers asking for these services to be restored, less so as a reduction in work and more the overall impact on guest experience.
4. Job Security
Given the increase in automation and other technological improvements, it is not surprising that many workers are wondering whether their jobs will still exist in a few years from now. To prevent workers from being displaced by machines or outsourced to third-party companies, the union is also seeking key job security in the new contracts.
HOW IT AFFECTS HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
The strike has been hitting the hospitality industry in those cities particularly hard already. Hotels are trying to stay operational with fewer staff, which results in guests experiencing longer waits and less service overall as a consequence of the strike.
In other cases, hotel management has hired temporary workers or engaged with third parties to maintain operations. But those efforts failed to avert the strike completely
Solidarity from the Broader Public and Other Unions
Public support as well as from other labor unions is large for the hotel workers’ strike. Although the strike disrupted lives of many guests, they continue to support workers in their call for wage parity and improved working conditions. There has been support from other unions many attending the picket lines.
What’s Next?
And with the strike ongoing, pressure is mounting on both sides to reach a deal. Now, with the holiday season fast approaching and Americans beginning to travel again in earnest, hotels cannot afford to bleed more business. Meanwhile, energized by the unprecedented solidarity extended to them, workers are holding firm in their demand that they will only return to work when all of terms have been agreed.
This strike could have important repercussions for the national hospitality industry and labor movements, Ripplemeyer noted in an email. The winning of the workers can be used to set an example for other industries in regards to higher wages and proper working conditions.
Conclusion
One of the best modern examples are the10,000+ striking hotel workers in nine cities during this time. While these workers work for decent wages in better conditions; it is Ultimately bringing light to hospitality industry challenges that are often left swept under the rug. Should the workers on strike prevail, this will not only change the lives of these thousands of people – it could also alter labor practices across America for years to come.
