Members of Unite Here Local 11, California’s largest union of hospitality workers, held a vote to authorize a strike, with 96% of respondents voting in favor, the union announced Friday. The strike would be the largest hotel worker strike in U.S. history.
The vote took place after months of stalled negotiations between the union and hotel companies, including Hyatt, Hilton, Highgate, Accor, IHG and Marriott. The union requested an immediate $5 increase to hourly wages to keep up with the rising cost of living, affordable family healthcare, retirement pensions and safer workloads, but the hotel industry has not responded. The hotels did not respond to requests for comment.
The demands are in response to rough pandemic years for workers. Unite Here’s announcement noted that the hotel industry received $15 billion in federal bailouts over the course of the pandemic, during which time they cut jobs and guest services.
Now that hotel profits in Los Angeles and Orange County are exceeding pre-pandemic levels, Unite Here members say they deserve more.
Wages for hotel workers such as housekeepers have failed to keep up with the rising cost of living in California. A survey of Unite Here Local 11 members found that 53% have moved in the past five years or will move in the near future due to housing costs.
“I voted yes to strike because I commute two hours from my home in Apple Valley to downtown Los Angeles. I deserve to make enough money to live near where I work,” said Brenda Mendoza, a uniform attendant at the JW Marriott LA Live, in the union’s statement.
“Hotel workers who work in the booming Los Angeles’ tourism industry must be able to live in Los Angeles,” said Kurt Petersen, Local 11’s co-president. “The industry shamelessly exploited the pandemic and is now reaping greater profits than ever before. Yet workers cannot afford to pay the rent. This 96% vote to authorize a strike sends a clear message to the industry that workers have reached their limit and are prepared to strike to secure a living wage.”
California hotel workers have also noted forthcoming boons to the regional tourism industry. The FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the Olympics in 2028 are both expected to generate significant revenue for hotels.
The strike vote follows a wave of union activity in Southern California. In April, Los Angeles City Council members introduced a motion to raise the minimum wage to $25 for the city’s hospitality and tourism workers. In May, Unite Here-represented housekeepers in West Hollywood filed a class-action lawsuit against Hyatt over alleged missing overpay, and other Unite Here workers in nearby Culver City filed an initiative that would guarantee a $25 per hour minimum wage and take steps to protect room attendants against sexual assault.
A strike on July 4 would have a significant impact on the area's hotel industry. For domestic travelers, July 4 is the most searched weekend for hotels in the summer travel season, digital marketing platform Sojern shared with Hotel Dive.
