By Andrew Hay
As over 10,000 U.S. hotel workers went on strike during the busy Labor Day public holiday, dozens of hotels faced disruptions in services. Unite Here members picketed outside Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels, and Marriott International locations demanding higher pay, causing disruptions in services such as restaurants and housekeeping.
The strike comes amid a 9% increase in Labor Day weekend domestic travel compared to last year, according to American Automobile Association booking data. Hilton and Hyatt have contingency plans to minimize the impact on operations related to strike activity, while Marriott has not responded to requests for comment.
Unite Here said workers were on strike at 25 hotels in nine U.S. cities, with the stoppage set to last up to three days. Workers are fighting for raises, fair workloads, and the reversal of COVID-era service and staffing cuts, citing that wages do not cover living costs and staffing levels have not been restored post-pandemic.
Analysis: The U.S. hotel industry is facing disruptions as thousands of workers strike for better pay and working conditions during a busy holiday weekend. This could lead to potential service disruptions for travelers and impact the financial performance of hotel chains. It is important for investors to monitor the situation and its potential effects on the industry's profitability and stock prices.
