Hotel workers resume strike in Boston as contract talks continue

BOSTON - Nearly 400 hotel workers began a three-day strike Thursday morning as contract talks continue between the hotels and the workers union.

Second round of protests

With pounding drums and blaring air horns, the hotel workers are asking guests to check out of city hotels Thursday.

Thursday marks the second round of protests after workers at Hilton Park Plaza, Hilton Logan Airport, Fairmount Copley Plaza and Hilton-Hampton Inn Boston Seaport held a three-day strike over Labor Day Weekend. Similar protests are being held outside the Newbury Hotel, W Boston, Moxy Boston Downtown and the Dagny Boston.

Those on the picket line said the economy is not working for them and they blame the hotel and the hotel industry for that.

"These are billionaire real estate companies, that's who the owners of these hotels are right now and all those folks care about is the bottom line and their profits," said Carlos Aramayo, the UNITE HERE Local 26 Union President.

"One job should be enough"

Among the workers protesting are hundreds of concierges, chefs and housekeepers calling for higher wages and a better pension program after their contract expired in August. Some of them were carrying signs reading "One job should be enough" because workers said they're working two or even three jobs to feed their families.

"They're already working 40 hours a week at this job doing luxury service for people and then they're going to turn in their uniform, put on a different one and head to a different hotel," said Shea Stillman, who works at the front desk at the Newbury. She said she and her colleagues enjoy giving their guests a special stay and called it the most rewarding feeling to have a family come to their hotel on vacation. But she said it's an impossible task when they're overworked and underpaid.

This round of strikes is set to wrap up Saturday night but the union said they will continue fighting until an agreement is reached.