San Francisco hotel workers go on three-day strike in fight for better wages and health care
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Hotel workers on Monday entered Day 2 of their three-day strike. Photo: Courtesy of Unite Here Local 2
More than 2,000 San Francisco hotel workers are on the third and final day of their strike Tuesday as they fight for better wages, health care and workloads.
Why it matters: The union, Unite Here, said "many hotels took advantage" of pandemic staffing cuts and guest services "that were never restored, causing workers to lose jobs and income — and creating painful working conditions for those who carry the increased workload."
- Workers say their wages "aren't enough to cover the cost of living, and many have to work two jobs to make ends meet," according to Unite Here.
State of play: The strike began Sunday after contract negotiations with hotel operators Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott broke down, according to the union.
- About 10,000 hotel workers nationwide, including in San Francisco and San Jose, participated in the strike.
- San Francisco workers are represented by Unite Here Local 2.
What they're saying: "I'm on strike for a living wage," Oz Munguia, a dispatcher at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square for 23 years, said in a statement.
- "Before COVID, there were eight to 10 people in my shift, and now there are only four of us. If I'm working this hard with a heavier workload, I deserve to be able to afford my bills and groceries. I'm going to fight until we get what we need."
The other side: Michael D'Angelo, Hyatt's head of labor relations for the Americas, said in a statement shared with outlets including Axios that the hotel chain had plans in effect to minimize strike destruction and said the firm is "disappointed that Unite Here has chosen to strike while Hyatt remains willing to negotiate."
- A Hilton spokesperson said the hotel chain was "committed to negotiating in good faith to reach fair and reasonable agreements that are beneficial to both our valued team members and to our hotels."
- Representatives for the Marriott didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
What's next: Even though the strike ends Tuesday, "the fight doesn't," Lizzy Tapia, president of Unite Here Local 2, told Axios San Francisco via email.
- "Anything can happen after today, and we're really out here sending the message that we're ready and strong, and we are committed to fighting for what we deserve."
- "The ball is in the hotel's court for how they'll respond. If they're ready to sign a fair contract, great. But if not, we're ready."