Unionized Hotel Workers in LA and Orange Counties Consider Strike Over Pay

Contract negotiations between unionized hotel workers and hotel owners in Los Angeles and Orange counties in California have reached a critical point, as workers contemplate a strike due to pay concerns. The contracts of 62 hotels are set to expire at the end of June.

Members of Unite Here Local 11, representing the hotel workers, will vote on June 8 to authorize a potential strike, granting them the ability to cease work if negotiations fail to yield satisfactory results.

The workers are advocating for pay increases that align with the rising cost of living and aim to recover from the economic repercussions of the pandemic, which led to job losses and reduced hours for many in the industry.

“Our demand is for fair wages that reflect the dedication we put into our work and the value we bring to the hotels,” stated Maria Hernandez, a housekeeper at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown LA.

Prominent hotel brands, including Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, and Sheraton, are among those that would be affected by the potential strike. The hotel owners have expressed their willingness to engage in negotiations with the union, aiming to avert a strike.

Michael D’Angelo, Vice President of Labor Relations at Hyatt Hotels Corp., expressed optimism, saying, “We remain hopeful that we can reach a mutually beneficial agreement without resorting to a strike.”

In 2018, Unite Here Local 11 organized a strike involving approximately 7,500 workers from 24 hotels across LA and Orange counties. The strike persisted for over a month, culminating in a new contract that included wage hikes and improved health benefits for the workers.