Strike at Marriott Hotels in Boston

by Hugh Lee Fowler Schlesinger

Workers and supporters picketed outside the Sheraton Boston Wednesday [photo credit:Boston Globe]

October 3, 2018

 UNITE HERE Local 26 began their city-wide strike at Marriott properties in Boston at 5am this morning.

Unite Here members at Marriott properties nation-wide (including in San Francisco, San Jose, Honolulu, Seattle, and Boston) voted overwhelmingly last month to authorize strikes if bargaining with Marriott failed to progress to a fair contract. These workers are rallying under the call that ‘One Job Should Be Enough‘ to demand pay and healthcare adequate to support a family in the cities where they work, job security, and safety and respect at work! The  Local 26 Bargaining Committee has determined that bargaining at Boston properties is not progressing to this goal, and has decided to utilize its power to call a strike!! This is the first ever hotel strike in Boston!

The union is striking for more protections as the industry undergoes major technological changes,  such as self-check-in kiosks and robot room service. Local 26 is also demanding that hotels  protect worker hours, provide more secure schedules, and improve sexual harassment protections and pregnancy accommodations.

“After five years of record profits and more than six months of contract talks, Marriott still doesn’t get it,” said Local 26 president Brian Lang . “It’s our work that creates the great experience for the hotel guests. We are the reason they keep coming back.”

Local 26 last held a strike in the fall of 2016, when dining hall workers at Harvard University walked off the job for 22 days

Picket lines will be maintained at all of the following properties from 7am-7pm:

-Aloft Boston, Seaport

-Element Boston, Seaport

-Ritz-Carlton, Boston Commons

-Westin Waterfront

-Westing Copley

-Sheraton Boston

-W Boston

Updates about actions and what we can do in solidarity with the striking workers to follow! Also, you can stay updated at: https://www.marriotttravelalert.org

Please try and find some time to walk the picket line in solidarity with these workers over the next few days.

SOLIDARITY AND POWER!!!