Bay Area hotel workers strike as contract talks stall

Thousands of unionized hospitality workers in the Bay Area initiated a strike on Sunday, coinciding with similar actions across the country. The strike involved approximately 1,500 members of Unite Here Local 2 in San Francisco, alongside workers from San Mateo County and San Jose. The striking workers include various roles such as servers, housekeepers, and cooks, all demanding better wages and health benefits as their previous contract expired in August. The union's grievances extend beyond pay, highlighting the increasing difficulty and pain associated with their jobs. Lizzy Tapia, president of Unite Here Local 2, emphasized that while the hotel industry is recovering, workers are struggling to support their families due to inadequate compensation and overwhelming workloads. The union's demands reflect a broader concern for affordable healthcare and fair raises. Michael D'Angelo, representing Hyatt-Americas, expressed disappointment over the strike, asserting that the company has offered competitive wages and benefits. He mentioned that Hyatt has contingency plans in place to mitigate the strike's impact on operations. The union's negotiations with hotel management have been ongoing for three months, with a previous three-day strike occurring over Labor Day. The strike is part of a larger movement, with over 10,000 workers participating at various hotel properties owned by major chains like Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and Omni across multiple cities. Strikes have also been authorized in Oakland and Sacramento, indicating a growing unrest among hospitality workers seeking better working conditions and compensation.