- Over 10,000 hotel workers are planning to go on strike this month.
- The workers, including housekeepers, servers, and front desk clerks, are pushing for higher wages and fairer workloads.
- Travelers at strike-affected hotels should expect a significantly different experience.
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Over 10,000 hotel worker are planning to go on strike this month. The move could disrupt fall travel at some of the nation's most popular hotels as workers fight for better pay and working conditions.
As of Wednesday, over 50 hotels across the U.S. in major cities such as San Francisco and Honolulu have already voted to strike. At Hilton Hawaiian Village, the largest resort in Hawaii, 94% of workers voted in favor of striking . Throughout the week, thousands more will decide whether to join the strikes, according to the hospitality labor union UNITE HERE.
The workers, including housekeepers, servers, and front desk clerks, are pushing for higher wages and fairer workloads after enduring increased burdens from the pandemic.
"Since COVID, the hotels have rebounded, but wages have not caught up," Gwen Mills, International President of UNITE HERE, told USA TODAY. "We need wages to catch up so one job can be enough."
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Hotel markets in most major U.S. cities have recovered as of last summer, with hotel prices having increased to match the demand. However, workers have yet to see the benefits of the rebound.
During the pandemic, hotels reduced staffing and guest services like daily housekeeping, forcing fewer employees to take on more work despite guest bookings picking back up. From 2019 to 2022, the number of workers per 100 occupied rooms in the U.S. hotel industry dropped by nearly 14%, according to the union.
"The workloads have gotten exhausting and overwhelming," Mills said.
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"I am ready to strike for wages that allow me to take care of my family and proper staffing that allows me to take care of guests," said Rachel Santos, hostess at Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa in Waikiki and member of UNITE HERE. "I love my job, and I love my family, so I’ll do whatever it takes to protect them both."
Here's what travelers need to know about the historic number of hotel strikes happening in August.
Why are hotel workers going on strike?
The contracts between the union and hotels expire at the end of August, and union representatives have been locked in negotiations with the hotels, such as asking to hire more staff. If no progress in the bargaining process is made when the contract expires, workers can vote on authorizing a strike. However, it's somewhat of a last resort.
"We try to resolve as many issues before striking; we don't want to strike, but we will," Mills said.
According to the union, the current working conditions are unsustainable for the hotel workers, who are simply trying to make a living.
"My job was always painful, but now it’s even worse," Consuelo Escorcia, who works as a lobby attendant at San Francisco Marriott Marquis cleaning public areas, told USA TODAY in a statement. The hotel used to have six lobby attendants but downsized to two or three since COVID. "I’ve sacrificed so much for this job over the years. I had to have four surgeries in my hand and shoulder. But in return, the hotel has only made my job harder."
Which hotels are being impacted?
A total of 66 U.S. hotels in Boston, Providence, New Haven, Honolulu, Baltimore, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego and Seattlehave their contracts expiring by the end of the month. However, that doesn't mean every hotel will go on strike depending on how negotiations go. The properties span the Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, and Omni brands, with some of the most well-known being Boston's Fairmont Copley Plaza, San Francisco's Palace Hotel and Honolulu's Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, and Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.
In a statement to USA TODAY, Michael D’Angelo, head of labor relations – Americas, Hyatt, said:
Our colleagues are the heart of our business, and Hyatt has a long history of cooperation with the unions that represent our employees, including UNITE HERE.We remain optimistic that mutually beneficial agreements can be reached withoutstrikes,and we look forward to continuing to negotiate fair contracts and recognize the contributions of Hyatt employees.
Hilton, Marriott and Omni did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
Travelers can visit the labor union's website to see whether their hotel staff is at risk of going on strike.
How will the strike affect my trip?
Travelers at strike-affected hotels should expect a significantly different experience, as nearly all departments will be impacted. Although technically, the hotel is still open.
"You can expect a reduction in food and beverage (services), hotel housekeeping not being available, and the general premises not being kept up," Mills said. "All the workers doing that work are instead outside walking a picket line." Guests may see them on strike, too. "It can be loud protests."
According to D’Angelo, Hyatt properties have "contingency plans in place" to minimize any impact that potential strikes could have on hotel operations.
The union asks travelers to cancel their reservations and ask for a refund if their hotel is going on strike and use its website to find alternative "socially responsible union hotels" at their destination.
How long will the hotel strikes last?
Very likely well into the fall season. The negotiation process can take a while.
