The ongoing strike is part of a series of labor actions affecting various industries in California this year. Labor leaders attribute the increase in strikes to the rising expenses in the state, while employers believe that unions are primarily seeking to enhance their political influence. Unite Here Local 11, which represents approximately 15,000 hotel and hospitality workers in California, including room attendants, dishwashers, cooks, front desk attendants, bellmen, and dishwashers, is advocating for better pay and benefits. Workers argue that their current salaries are insufficient to afford basic necessities like housing, groceries, and gas. The lowest-paid workers, room attendants, earn between $20 and $25 per hour.
Kurt Petersen, co-president of the union, expressed that workers are feeling a combination of anger and hope, hoping to secure a wage that would enable them to live in Los Angeles. The union presented its proposal, which included an immediate $5 per hour raise, at the first bargaining session on April 20. It also proposed an additional $3 per hour raise for 2024 and 2025.
The strike has led to hotel workers picketing outside the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City. The coalition representing 44 hotels in the negotiation process claims that Unite Here Local 11 has shown no willingness to engage in good faith bargaining. The coalition has proposed wage increases of $2.50 per hour in the first year of the contract, followed by an increase of $6.25 per hour over the next four years. They have also offered to maintain current healthcare plans and pension contributions. Beverly Hills and downtown LA housekeepers, under this proposal, would receive a 10% wage increase in 2024, resulting in an hourly wage of over $31 by January 2027.
However, the coalition accuses the union of canceling a scheduled bargaining meeting, refusing to schedule additional meetings, and not shifting from their original proposal, which includes a 40% wage increase and a more than 28% increase in benefit costs. The coalition believes that the union’s actions demonstrate a lack of concern for the employees and members, instead focusing on their political agenda.
Petersen, speaking on behalf of the union, denies canceling any sessions, stating that the hotels did not present a counter proposal until two months after the union’s initial proposal. He highlights the importance of the hotels signing the agreement the Westin Bonaventure hotel had signed, expressing that the hotels in the coalition are concerned about the potential spread of the worker strike.
This strike is the latest among major union actions in California this year. In March, a union representing teachers, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers successfully negotiated concessions after a walkout that resulted in the closure of LA Unified schools for several days. Hollywood writers have been on strike since May, and other entertainment unions are threatening action as their contracts expire this summer. Even nurses, warehouse workers, and the food industry have experienced strikes, threats, and last-minute deals this year.
Amidst the strike, workers rally at Le Meridien Delfina, a Marriott-owned boutique hotel in Santa Monica. Patricia Ibáñez, leading the rally, voices concerns about the hotel’s cost-saving measures that impact labor and the lack of additional benefits. She points out that she has to work a second job at a nearby Jack in the Box just to afford her family’s monthly rent of $2,600 in Culver City.
Carlos Martinez, a room attendant, also shares his reasons for participating in the strike, emphasizing the need for better pay and benefits to provide for his growing family. He reveals that his wife is expecting a baby in October, and he wants to ensure they have sufficient healthcare coverage. Despite earning $25 per hour, he believes it is insufficient given the rising cost of living and the workload room attendants face with limited staff. An additional $5 per hour would alleviate some financial stress and make navigating difficult shifts more manageable.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, there was a 50% increase in major strikes (work stoppages involving 1,000 workers or more) nationwide last year, with 120,600 workers participating. While this marks a substantial increase from 2021, it is still a fraction of the strike activity seen during the peak of the labor movement in the 1970s.
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