Overview
- UNITE HERE Local 1 members representing room attendants, cooks, front-desk staff and other hospitality workers walked out at more than 40 downtown and McCormick Place hotels after contract talks stalled and multiple contracts expired on Aug. 31.
- The strike targets major chains including Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt and began with staff at several large properties such as the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, the Palmer House Hilton and the Waldorf Astoria Chicago.
- The union says members are demanding higher wages, stronger pensions and health benefits, civil rights protections and safer workloads after an 85% strike authorization vote in September.
- UNITE HERE framed the action around corporate payouts, citing $22.3 billion returned to shareholders by the companies over three years, and the coverage does not include a response from the hotel operators.
- Timed for a busy visitor weekend, the walkouts could affect marathon travelers and convention business and the union says additional hotels may join, while workers say the strike aims to secure pay that covers rent and basic living costs.