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STRIKING HOTEL WORKERS in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island, recently ratified union contracts that include wage increases and healthcare. These contracts at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich and Omni Providence Hotel are the first in ongoing national disputes between the hotel workers' union UNITE HERE and Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and Omni. The union celebrated the contract settlements but cautioned that ongoing strikes across the U.S. are expected to escalate before labor disputes are resolved. "These first contracts encourage hotel workers in other cities as strikes continue," said Gwen Mills, UNITE HERE's international president. "Hotel workers in Honolulu, San Diego, and San Francisco will strike as long as it takes to secure what they need, and more strikes are possible. We're in this for the long haul, and we urge travelers to prepare for potential widespread disruptions."

DOZENS OF STRIKING hotel workers arrived in Washington on Sept. 23 to meet with Congress members, urging action against hotel resort fees. More than 4,000 workers are striking at Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott hotels in Honolulu, San Diego and San Francisco, vowing to continue until new contracts are secured. Many of the workers traveled from these strike-affected cities, according to UNITE HERE, the union representing hotel, casino and airport workers across the U.S. and Canada. The union is lobbying against legislation backed by hotel corporations that would limit states' ability to regulate resort fees. Hotel workers argue that resort fees, along with COVID-era service and staffing cuts, undermine the hospitality that guests expect. The workers' visit included a briefing for congressional staff, hosted by Sen. Bernie Sanders. "We're here because guests and workers share a common goal - we want hotels to reverse COVID-era cuts, protect guests from resort fees, and refocus on providing the best possible hospitality," said Gwen Mills, UNITE HERE's president.

THOUSANDS OF WORKERS at Marriott International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt Hotels Corp. hotels in San Francisco returned to work after ratifying new contracts, according to UNITE HERE. The workers settled for affordable healthcare, significant raises and workload protections. About 1,500 Marriott employees returned on Saturday, while 1,000 Grand Hyatt workers unanimously ratified a tentative agreement, UNITE HERE said in a statement. Hilton workers ended their 93-day strike on Dec. 24, voting 99.4 percent for the new contract. San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie engaged with hotel owners and striking employees after his election, helping to secure union approval for the Marriott contracts.

Approximately 10,000 U.S. hotel workers began a multi-day strike on Sunday in eight cities, including Boston, Honolulu, San Francisco, San Diego and Seattle, after contract talks with Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide and Hyatt Hotels Corp. stalled. The workers, members of the UNITE HERE labor union, are demanding higher wages, fair staffing and the reversal of COVID-era cuts. The union said insufficient wages force many to work multiple jobs to cover living costs. "I have to work a second job because my hotel job isn't enough to support my kids as a single mom," said Mary Taboniar, a housekeeper at Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu for six years. "I'm living on the edge, unsure if I'll be able to pay our rent, groceries, or provide my family with health care. It's so stressful. One job should be enough."