Though hotel chains say they’ll continue to operate normally, travelers could see disruptions as employees walked off the job in cities from Boston to Honolulu. Here’s what to know.
Over the busy Labor Day weekend, at least 10,000 unionized front-desk workers, housekeepers and other employees at 24 hotel properties across the country walked off the job on Sunday after failing to come to an agreement in contract negotiations.
The strikes — which as of Sunday afternoon were affecting some Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott hotels, and one Fairmont property, in Boston; San Francisco; Seattle; San Jose, Calif.; Honolulu; Kauai, Hawaii; San Diego; and Greenwich, Conn. — were scheduled to last two to three days in each city, just as many travelers’ holiday weekend plans were in full swing. More hotel workers in other cities could also soon announce strikes.
The strike comes as members of the UNITE HERE union at Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Omni properties across the country have been engaged in contentious talks since at least May.
The affected hotels say they plan to stay open, perhaps with modified services, but they may not always notify travelers that a strike is happening. So inquire ahead of time, or you may be surprised to find a spirited picket line in front of your hotel when you arrive.
Here’s what else you need to know.
There’s a strike at the hotel where I have a reservation. What should I do?
First, call the hotel and ask to speak to a manager to confirm that a strike is taking place at that property. UNITE HERE has also created a website, FairHotel.org, that offers an updated map of which properties are experiencing labor disputes. Ask the manager which services are being affected by the strike, and ask about the hotel’s cancellation policy.
Then decide if you still want to stay at the hotel.
Besides weighing the effect on services, consider your feelings about the dispute itself, said Bjorn Hanson, an adjunct professor at the New York University Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality. Some travelers like to support the business and keep their reservation at the property, Dr. Hanson said. Others prefer to support the striking workers by not crossing a picket line.
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