Hundreds of Hilton Workers Strike at Seattle Airport for Higher Wages
- Hundreds of hotel workers at Seattle airport hotels began a strike on October 12, 2024, demanding higher wages and the reversal of COVID-era cuts.
- The strike involves 374 workers and is part of a larger movement affecting over 4,375 hotel workers across various U.S. cities.
- The ongoing strikes reflect the workers' frustration with long hours and low pay, highlighting the need for better labor conditions in the hospitality industry.
In the United States, hundreds of hotel workers at Seattle airport hotels initiated a strike on Saturday, October 12, 2024, demanding higher wages and the reversal of cuts made during the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike involves 374 workers from the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport and Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center, and is part of a larger movement affecting over 4,375 hotel workers across various cities including Boston, Honolulu, and San Francisco. The Unite Here union, representing the workers, has stated that the strikes will continue until workers secure favorable contracts. The union's International President, Gwen Mills, emphasized the exhaustion of hotel workers who are struggling to make ends meet despite long hours of work. This strike follows a series of labor actions that began over Labor Day weekend, where more than 10,000 workers protested due to stalled contract negotiations. While some workers in other cities have successfully ratified contracts with wage increases and better healthcare, many issues remain unresolved, prompting ongoing strikes. The union has also called on travelers to avoid using services at striking hotels, highlighting the disruption caused by the labor actions.