Over 15,000 Southern California hotel workers represented by Unite Here Local 11 have authorized a strike during negotiations for a $5-an-hour pay increase, affordable health care, a secure pension plan, and safe workloads. The move is expected to be the largest hotel worker strike in modern history, affecting at least 70 hotels operated by Accor, Highgate, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott. The workers’ current labor contract expires on June 30, and following over a month of failed discussions, hotel operators have yet to present a concrete wage proposal. A top concern among hotel workers is the soaring cost of housing, driving 53% of employees to either relocate or prepare to do so. The union seeks a $5 hourly wage increase across the board, and according to Christian Morales, a laundry worker at the Hilton Pasadena, the current wage of $20 an hour is inadequate. Hotel management is also facing issues, with high inflation, rising wages, and summer travel making it difficult to source enough staff. A recent AHLA report indicates that 75% of hotel operators surveyed are increasing wages, 64% are offering more flexible hours, and 36% are expanding benefits to lure employees. Despite the effort, 87% of operators cannot fill all their openings, critically affecting housekeeping services as the most pressing staffing need. If a strike goes ahead, it may negatively impact hotel operations’ recovery from the pandemic’s impact when closures lasted between 14 to 18 months.
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