Thousands of hotel workers in Southern California walked off the job on Sunday, July 2, 2023, demanding higher pay and better benefits. The strike is the largest in the history of Unite Here Local 11, the union representing the workers.

Striking hotel workers rally outside The Biltmore Los Angeles hotel, Sunday, July 2, 2023, in downtown Los Angeles.

Why are they striking?

 The workers are seeking a 6% wage increase each year for the next three years, as well as better health care benefits and more affordable housing. They are also calling for an end to what they say is unfair workloads and staffing levels.

Who is striking? 

The strike involves workers at more than 70 hotels in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The hotels include some of the most well-known names in the industry, such as the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Ritz-Carlton, and the Westin Century Plaza.

What are the workers asking for? 

The workers are asking for a 40% wage increase and an increase in benefits. They are also asking for a hospitality workforce housing fund to help workers deal with the high cost of living in Southern California.

What is the response from the hotels? 

The hotels have offered wage increases of $2.50 per hour in the first 12 months and $6.25 per hour over four years. They have also offered to increase benefits, but not to the extent that the workers are demanding.

What is the impact of the strike? 

The strike is expected to have a significant impact on the tourism industry in Southern California. The hotels affected by the strike are already reporting cancellations and are bracing for more in the coming days. The strike could also hurt the local economy, as it is expected to cost millions of dollars in lost revenue.

What is next?

 The union and the hotels are scheduled to meet again on Wednesday, July 5, to try to reach a settlement. If no agreement is reached, the strike could continue for weeks or even months.

The strike is a sign of the growing economic inequality in the United States. Hotel workers are some of the lowest-paid workers in the country, and they are often struggling to make ends meet. The strike is also a sign of the growing power of unions. Unite Here Local 11 is one of the largest and most powerful unions in the country, and it has a long history of fighting for the rights of its members. The strike is a reminder that workers are willing to fight for better pay and benefits, even when it means taking a major economic risk.