Several hotel workers from Hilton near Seattle airport have initiated a strike, joining 4,375 hotel workers across the US.  

The strikes, which include employees from Hyatt and Marriott as well, have been ongoing in Honolulu, Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle.  

Workers are demanding higher wages, fair staffing, and the reversal of cuts made during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The current strikes at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport and Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Centre by 374 workers are set to last until the early hours of 19 October 2024.  

In other cities, the action is planned to continue until contracts are secured.  

The workers, part of the UNITE HERE union, encompass various roles such as housekeepers, cooks, and front desk agents, and more.  

They seek to address issues such as fair workloads and staffing levels. 

The union has advised travellers to avoid patronising hotels involved in the strikes.  

Picket lines are expected to be in place around the clock, potentially leading hotels to limit services.  

Guests have already faced inconveniences such as lack of housekeeping, accumulation of trash, and reduced amenities.  

Some guests, unaware of the strikes upon booking, have even protested for refunds due to the diminished hotel experience. 

UNITE HERE has called for hotels to be transparent with guests about ongoing strikes and has provided resources to assist travellers in finding non-affected accommodations.  

UNITE HERE International President Gwen Mills said: “Hotel workers are tired of working long hours while barely getting by. Hotel workers keep walking out on strike because hotel corporations like Hilton can afford to raise wages. 

“The hotel industry is not only recovering from the pandemic but making record profits by cutting staff and guest services. Strikes will continue in the hotel industry until Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott show they respect our work by settling contracts that help our members recover too.” 

The strikes follow a series of contract negotiations, with more than 10,000 workers participating in strikes since September 2024.  

Workers report insufficient wages that necessitate multiple jobs to support their families.  

The union has highlighted that many hotels have reduced staffing and services, maintaining pandemic-era cuts that have led to job losses and increased workloads for remaining staff.  

These conditions have prompted the ongoing strikes, with the potential for more action in cities where negotiations are continuing.