Dive Brief:
- Union workers at Houston’s Hilton Americas hotel have opted to extend their strike through Sept. 20, hospitality union Unite Here Local 23 shared in a release obtained by Hotel Dive.
- The workers’ strike, which began on Labor Day, was originally scheduled to end on Sept. 10. Unite Here Local 23 workers announced their decision to extend the strike in a rally at Houston City Hall, where several local officials expressed their support.
- Workers have been without a contract since June 30, when their previous one expired. They are now calling for wages of at least $23 an hour, which they say will better meet the rising cost of living.
Dive Insight:
Franchesca Caraballo, Texas chapter president of Unite Here Local 23, said in a statement that the decision to extend the strike is “making it clear that business as usual will not continue in the city of Houston.”
According to Unite Here Local 23, the Hilton Americas strike “has gained broad support among political leaders of the city and region.”
In a statement, Houston City Councilmember Joaquin Martinez said, “When Houston’s visitor economy thrives, working families should thrive too. Livable wages, safe working conditions, and dignity on the job are the foundation of a stronger, more just city.”
A Hilton spokesperson told Hotel Dive last week that the hotel’s operations were not meaningfully impacted by the strike, and that the property’s leadership “is committed to negotiating in good faith to reach a fair and reasonable agreement that is beneficial to both our valued Team Members and to our hotel.”
Some 99.3% of the hotel’s workers voted to approve the strike in August.
In addition to Hilton Americas, Unite Here Local 23 represents hospitality workers at Houston’s Marriott Marquis, George R. Brown Convention Center and the George Bush International Airport, where union contracts will expire between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1, the union shared.
