Warning: US hotel staff could soon be on strike

Imagine booking a conference, or even a room, at a hotel and then finding that the staff are on strike.

More than 13,000 hotel workers in four US cities may vote for strikes in the coming weeks.

It is predicted that picket lines could disrupt meetings and conventions, travel media portal Skift reports.

Contract talks at Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and Omni properties in Boston, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Providence, Rhode Island are currently underway.

Unite Here, the union representing the workers, said voting will begin on August 6 at 125 hotels in the four locations. 

If workers vote to authorise strikes, they could begin any time after contracts expire. Contracts in some cities have already expired, while others run out in the coming weeks.

In total, over 40,000 hotel workers with the Unite Here union have contracts up for renegotiation this year in more than 20 cities across the US and Canada. 

“Momentum is building for strikes this year because workers are at a breaking point while the hotel industry is making record profits,” said Unite Here International President Gwen Mills. 

Among the demands of workers are a raise in wages and the reversal of staffing cuts that have led to fewer employees doing more.

Any strike puts event planners in a tough spot. Cancelling or changing venues will cost money but many attendees may want to show support for workers.

Image: Marco Simola, Scop.io