Thousands of Marriott employees across 7 cities have staged a major strike against the hotel chain over worker pay.
More than 7,700 Marriott workers represented by the hospitality union UNITE HERE are currently on strike in Detroit, Boston, Hawaii, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose.
Approximately 12,000 Marriott employees are without contract, making it possible for more workers to join the strike over the next few days.
According to UNITE HERE, the strikes are due to failures by Marriott to make improvements on key issues, such as “providing jobs that pay enough for workers to support their families, securing job protection around automation, and workplace safety around the so-called “Green Choice” program.”
Hotels affected by the strike operate under the Marriott, Westin and Sheraton brand names.
Marriott hotel workers in SF go on strike – calling for better wages, job security and workplace safety pic.twitter.com/jfTOIRpyyf
— Sarah Ravani (@SarRavani) October 4, 2018
“Today 7,700 UNITE HERE workers are on strike across Marriott hotels in eight tourism destinations across America to change the hospitality industry and demand that one job be enough to support their families,” said D. Taylor, international president of UNITE HERE.
“I could not be more proud of the courage and solidarity of UNITE HERE hotel workers today, for stepping up to fight for a better life for themselves, their families, and all hotel workers across the industry. Marriott is the richest and most profitable hotel company in the world, and by taking them on in this historic hotel worker strike, UNITE HERE union members are going to change the lives of all workers in our industry.”
A Marriott spokesperson said in a statement:
“We are disappointed that Unite Here has chosen to resort to a strike at this time. Marriott’s current economic proposal matches the economic terms in the parties’ last contract, which included the largest increases in the parties’ bargaining history.
“During the strike our hotels are open, and we stand ready to provide excellent service to our guests. While we respect our associates’ rights to participate in this work stoppage, we also will welcome any associate who chooses to continue to work.”
