Over the Labor Day weekend, 10,000 hotel workers in the United States went on strike in eight cities to demand better pay and conditions. The UNITE HERE union called for the strike after negotiations with major hotel chains Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott failed to reach a deal. Workers cited the lack of restoration of standard services like daily housekeeping and room service, as well as inadequate wages to support their families, as reasons for the strike. The union also mentioned that the workload was physically taxing on the workers. Strikes were also authorized in four other cities and could commence at any time.
Hyatt expressed disappointment in the strike, stating their long history of collaboration with unions and their commitment to negotiating fair contracts. They have contingency plans in place to minimize the impact of the strike on hotel operations. Hilton and Marriott did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the strike.
Labor Day weekend is traditionally a busy travel period in the US, with AAA reporting a 9 percent increase in bookings compared to the previous year. The TSA anticipates a record 17 million travelers during the weekend. This strike highlights the ongoing challenges faced by workers in the hospitality industry, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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