Hotel Workers Strike for Fair Wages and Services Post-Pandemic

The Ongoing Struggles of Hotel Workers Post-Pandemic

Few sectors experienced as severe a disruption as the hospitality industry during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, with travel rebounding to pre-pandemic levels and health precautions largely abandoned, many hotel workers continue to face the repercussions of reduced wages and increased workloads that emerged during the pandemic. Over 10,000 workers, including housekeepers, front-desk personnel, and servers, initiated a strike across the United States on Sunday, prompted by stalled contract negotiations. On the following day, nearly 300 hotel employees joined the protest in Baltimore, coinciding with the bustling Labor Day weekend.

The striking hotel workers are advocating for higher wages and the restoration of services that were cut during the pandemic. A significant focus is on housekeeping, which has become a contentious issue. Throughout the pandemic, many hotels reduced staffing levels and guest services, such as daily housekeeping and room service. This not only led to a loss of income for some workers but also increased the workload for those who remained.

Many hotels have opted to make these staffing and service changes permanent, now only providing daily housekeeping upon request. However, numerous housekeepers argue that reducing the frequency of cleanings complicates the process of preparing rooms after guests check out, making it considerably more demanding and time-consuming.

According to Gwen Mills, the international president of UNITE HERE—the union representing the workers—there will be no acceptance of a “new normal” characterized by diminished services for hotel guests. “The hotel industry has rebounded from the pandemic, and room rates are at record highs,” Mills stated, underscoring the need for fair treatment of workers.

Moreover, after enduring the tumult of the pandemic, workers contend that their wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of living. For instance, housekeepers at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor hotel are seeking a wage increase from $16.20 an hour to $20 an hour.

UNITE HERE reports that workers are currently on strike at 25 hotels across nine cities, including:

• Baltimore
• Boston
• Greenwich, Conn.
• Honolulu
• Kauai, Hawaii
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• San Jose, Calif.
• Seattle

The hotels involved include several properties from major chains such as Hilton, Hyatt, Fairmont, and Marriott. The strikes in each city are expected to last between one to three days, as indicated by the union. The hotels have stated they intend to remain operational and have implemented contingency plans to minimize disruption for travelers.

Michael D’Angelo, Hyatt’s head of labor relations, expressed disappointment over the strike, asserting that the company remains open to negotiations. He noted that Hyatt has provided competitive wages, healthcare, and retirement benefits at the affected hotels. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Hilton stated that the company is “committed to negotiating in good faith to reach fair and reasonable agreements.” Efforts to obtain comments from Marriott and Fairmont were unsuccessful.

Additionally, there is potential for further strikes in other cities, as UNITE HERE union members have voted to authorize strikes in New Haven, Conn.; Oakland, Calif.; and Providence, Rhode Island.