In a historic display of labor activism, thousands of hotel workers in Southern California went on strike on July 20. This marks the third wave of walkouts in what has become the largest multi-hotel strike in California’s history. The workers, represented by Unite Here Local 11, took to the streets in response to the hotels’ latest labor proposal, which they claim fails to offer any improvements to wages, pensions, or healthcare.
However, the Coordinated Bargaining Group, representing 44 hotels in Los Angeles and Orange County that are negotiating with Unite Here, previously presented a wage proposal. According to this proposal, once a labor contract is ratified, workers would receive a $2-an-hour increase, followed by an additional $1-an-hour hike on July 1, 2024. Full-time employees, such as housekeepers, would see their annual pay increase by at least $13,000 by the end of the proposed agreement. The group also promised to preserve increases of up to $1.50 an hour for healthcare benefits over the span of four years.
The strike has already had unintended consequences. Several organizations, including the Democratic Governors Association, Japanese American Citizens League, W.K Kellogg Foundation, and the TV show “Vanderpump Rules,” have chosen to cancel or relocate their events. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation stated that they have decided to postpone their meeting until the labor dispute is resolved. Likewise, the Democratic Governors Association has moved their summer conference from the Beverly Hilton to the Westin Bonaventure, the only hotel among the 60 represented by Unite Here that has reached an agreement with the union. Unite Here’s bargaining committee has also sent a letter to the American Political Science Association, requesting that they cancel their upcoming annual meeting and exhibition scheduled in Los Angeles.
Pete Hillan, a spokesperson for the Hotel Association of Los Angeles, emphasized that the walkout not only affects the current period but may have long-term consequences. Conferences and events often book hotel venues years in advance, so many of these groups might not return to the area for at least five years. Additionally, these groups have the option of seeking alternative locations. Local cities also stand to lose revenue from the transient occupancy tax, which makes up 12% of the rent charged to hotel guests.
Unite Here’s co-President Kurt Petersen has highlighted the financial struggles faced by many hotel workers and their inability to afford the cost of living on their current wages. The union is demanding an immediate $5 hourly wage increase for all hotel workers, irrespective of their current pay level. They also want the hotels to continue providing family healthcare coverage and seek improvements to the pension plan, as well as “safe and humane” workloads.
Gladis Avila, a housekeeper at the W Hollywood hotel, shared her experience of an escalating workload. Previously, the hotel required daily cleaning of rooms, but after the COVID-19 lockdowns ended, they changed the policy to clean rooms only after guests checked out. Avila expressed concerns about encountering cockroaches in the rooms due to limited cleaning time. The union also aims to involve hotels in addressing homelessness by supporting a controversial Los Angeles County ballot measure that would require them to house the homeless alongside regular guests. Additionally, the union proposes the creation of a fund supported by a 7% tax on hotel guests to finance affordable housing for struggling hotel workers.
Hillan argued that these are issues falling under the jurisdiction of city governments rather than hotels. The latest wave of walkouts includes employees from eight hotels, including the W Hollywood, 1 Hotel West Hollywood, Pasadena Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton San Pedro, and Hilton Los Angeles/North Glendale, among others. The striking workers, whose contract expired on June 30, have been participating in three-to-five-day walkouts before returning to work.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn expressed her support for the striking workers in a statement issued on Thursday. She acknowledged the significant hardships faced by hotel workers who often commute long distances or work multiple jobs to make ends meet. Hahn stands in solidarity with the DoubleTree San Pedro hotel workers and all Unite Here workers across LA County as they fight for fair wages and improved working conditions.
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