Massive Hotel Worker Strike Paralyzes LA's Tourism Industry, Demanding Better Wages and Benefits
Thousands of hotel workers in Los Angeles, California, have launched a strike demanding better wages and benefits, making it one of the largest hotel strikes in recent US history. Unite Here Local 11, the union representing the workers, highlighted the challenges employees faced in affording housing and the job cuts they experienced during the pandemic while the industry saw profits rise.
Thousands of hotel workers in Los Angeles, California, initiated a strike on Sunday morning to demand improved wages and benefits, marking one of the largest US hotel strikes in recent history. Unite Here Local 11, the union representing these workers, stated that employees were struggling to afford housing in the cities where they worked, and had experienced job cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic while the industry saw profits rise. The strike, which included hotel employees from establishments such as the InterContinental and Hotel Indigo, occurred during a busy weekend before the July Fourth holiday.
The union is advocating for better wages, healthcare benefits, pension, safer workloads, and the establishment of a hospitality workforce housing fund. Approximately 15,000 cooks, room attendants, dishwashers, servers, bellmen, and front desk agents in Los Angeles and Orange counties will be impacted by the strike. The Westin Bonaventure, the largest hotel in Los Angeles, reached an agreement with its workers just one day before the expiration of the contracts. The strike received support from other industries, with Hollywood writers and actors union threatening to strike as well. The strike is expected to continue for multiple days, and the Hotel Association of Los Angeles expressed confidence that hotels would be able to continue serving visitors during this time.
The hotel workers' strike highlights the broader issue of labor disputes in Southern California, with workers across various industries pushing for higher pay and better working conditions. These labor fights represent the frustrations of younger workers who have witnessed growing inequality and diminishing opportunities. The summer tourism season in Los Angeles, which experienced a surge last year, may be impacted by the strike. While business groups argue that increasing worker pay alone does not address the underlying problems of high living costs in California, labor leaders see the strike as an opportunity to leverage the momentum of the tourism industry to push for change. As negotiations continue, agreements made during this period will set pay levels leading up to major events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, which are expected to draw significant tourists to the region.
