From today’s CNN News:
The largest hospitality union in Southern California has approved a strike for more than 15,000 workers that could begin in early July if an agreement isn’t reached on increased pay and other benefits.
Unite Here Local 11 – the union representing room attendants, cooks, dishwashers and front desk agents among other workers – voted Friday on authorizing the strike with a 96% approval. The group claimed the strike would mark “the largest hotel worker strike in modern US industry.”
The union is asking for a $5-dollar hourly wage increase, affordable family healthcare, a pension that will enable workers to retire with security, and a safe, humane workload, according to a union news release.
“Hotel workers who work in the booming Los Angeles’ tourism industry must be able to live in Los Angeles” said Kurt Petersen, the union’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.”
The union says that while negotiations began April 20, the hotel industry has not returned any wage proposals.
CNN has reached out to Hyatt, Hilton, Highgate, Accor, IHG, Marriott and the Hotel Association of Los Angeles.
The union did not specify exact dates when the strike might begin, only noting it could start as early as the July 4 weekend – a prime summer holiday weekend for tourists, according to Maria Hernandez, the head of communications for Unite Here Local 11.
“Hotel workers who work in the booming Los Angeles’ tourism industry must be able to live in Los Angeles” said Kurt Petersen, the union’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.”
Read the complete story here.