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UNITE HERE, a union representing workers in hotels, casinos and
airports across the U.S. and Canada, said the votes will begin
the first week in August in Boston, San Francisco, Honolulu and
Providence, Rhode Island.
"We are getting ready," said Elena Duran, a server at Marriott's
Palace Hotel in San Francisco. "Seeing the proposals from the
hotels, people are not happy."
Workers at 125 hotels in the four cities have sought significant
pay raises in new contracts to replace ones that have expired or
will expire soon.
They are also seeking better healthcare and pension plans and
are looking for hotel operators to reverse pandemic-era staff
and service cuts like daily room cleaning.
"Frankly, we were insulted with what they came to the table
with," said Carlos Aramayo, president of UNITE HERE Local 26 in
Boston. "We are very, very far apart from an agreement."
A further 26,500 hospitality workers in 16 U.S. cities
represented by Unite Here are also negotiating new contracts.
"We are disappointed that several UNITE HERE locals have chosen
to take strike votes," a spokesperson from Hyatt said.
The hotel operator said it has contingency plans in place in the
event of a strike so that its hotel operations are not affected.
Hilton said it maintains a cooperative and productive
relationship with the union.
Marriott did not respond to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Cynthia
Osterman)
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