Some Hotel Workers in San Diego Continue Strike, While Baltimore, Seattle End Walkouts

The Unite Here union said on Tuesday strikes by hotel workers have concluded in Baltimore and Seattle, while 9,376 workers remained on strike in seven cities including San Diego at the Hilton Bayfront.

Some 10,000 hotel workers began a multi-day strike in nine cities on Sunday after contract talks with hotel operators Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and Hyatt Hotels, stalled.

The workers are demanding higher wages, fair staffing and workloads, and the reversal of COVID-era cuts.

The union says that many hotels took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to cut staffing and guest services that were never restored, causing workers to lose jobs and income – and creating painful working conditions for those who carry the increased workload.

Unite Here, which represents workers in hotels, casinos, and airports across the United States and Canada, said thousands of workers at 24 hotels were on strike in some major travel destinations including San Diego and San Francisco, Honolulu, Boston and Greenwich, Connecticut.

“Each city’s strike will last one to three days,” it said.

The union has urged guests to not visit any hotel that is on strike, until the workers secure a new contract.

About 40,000 Unite Here hotel workers across 20 cities face expiring contracts this year.

Elizabeth Ireland contributed to this article.