On a strikingly eventful Sunday, July 2, 2023, in downtown Los Angeles, striking hotel workers assembled outside the Intercontinental Hotel, bold and determined. Their synchronized steps echoed their demand for higher wages and improved benefits, as this monumental strike has been deemed the largest in the history of their union.
The picket lines were swarmed with cooks, room attendants, dishwashers, servers, bellmen, and front desk agents, who bravely protested outside major hotels in Los Angeles and Orange counties. A wave of tourists was greeted by the striking workers, as the summer season beckoned revelry and merriment.
In an overwhelming display of unity, Unite Here Local 11 members voted with an astounding 96% majority to authorize the strike. Their aspirations revolve around better remuneration, enhanced healthcare benefits, increased contributions to their pensions, and a reduction in their arduous workloads. Additionally, the union aims to establish a “hospitality workforce housing fund” to assist employees in coping with the exorbitant living costs in the greater Los Angeles area. Many workers endure lengthy commutes due to their inability to afford housing near their workplaces.
Union co-president Kurt Petersen conveyed the immense hardships faced by the members, first from the pandemic and now from the insatiable greed of their employers. It becomes evident that while the industry received bailouts, the workers bore the brunt of cuts, further accentuating their resentment.
The clock struck midnight on Friday, signaling the expiration of contracts in over 60 hotels, including prominent chains such as Marriott and Hilton. Nearly half of the 32,000 hospitality workers represented by the union across Southern California and Arizona were impacted by the strike. The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, their largest employer, reached a tentative agreement last week, securing improved pay and augmented staffing levels – a notable victory for the workers. However, talks with other hotels remained at a standstill.
In a display of frustration, over 40 hotels involved in negotiations accused union leaders of canceling a scheduled bargaining session and refusing to engage in meaningful negotiation. The hotel coalition stated that they had offered wage increases of $2.50 per hour over the first 12 months and $6.25 over four years. Nevertheless, the union’s initial demand, made two months prior, included up to a 40% wage increase and a staggering 28% increase in benefit costs.
Anticipating this work stoppage, the properties prepared themselves to continue hotel operations and cater to their guests throughout the duration of this disruption. Keith Grossman, spokesperson for the coalition, reassured the public of their readiness.
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