Baltimore hotel workers have joined a growing nationwide strike against three major hotel chains, escalating labor tensions during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.
The union Unite Here organized the strike, which began with approximately 200 workers walking off the job at the Hilton Inner Harbor in Baltimore.
This action is part of a larger strike movement that now includes nine cities across the United States. The strike initially affected approximately 10,200 hotel workers at 25 hotels ranging from Boston to the West Coast and Hawaii. While 840 workers returned to work on Tuesday, the strike continues in many locations.
The workers, represented by Unite Here, are demanding higher pay, improved working conditions, and increased staffing to restore services that were cut during the pandemic.
“Going on strike is hard, but not nearly as hard as trying to get by on what we are getting paid. We are on strike to make them pay,” said Jerome Roberts, a dishwasher at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor.
The strike has disrupted services at several hotels, leaving guests with limited staff and amenities. Despite the ongoing strike, hotels such as Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott continue to operate but struggle to provide full services.
Gwen Mills, International President of Unite Here, emphasized the growing disconnect between the hotel industry’s profits and the treatment of its workers.
“During Covid, everyone suffered, but now the hotel industry is making record profits while workers and guests are left behind,” Mills said.
The union has also warned of the possibility of expanding the strike to additional hotels in other cities, including Oakland, California, Providence, Rhode Island, and New Haven, Connecticut.
While the hotel chains have expressed disappointment over the strike, they have reiterated their commitment to negotiating fair contracts.
“We look forward to continuing to negotiate fair contracts and recognize the contributions of Hyatt employees,” said Michael D’Angelo, head of labor relations at Hyatt.
The strike comes at a critical time for the hotel industry, which is still recovering from the pandemic’s impact. Both workers and guests are feeling the effects of the ongoing labor disputes, with many travelers experiencing disruptions during their stays. The strike is set to last three days, though its impact could extend further if negotiations do not result in a resolution.
