More Boston hotel workers expected to Picket this weekend

Nearly 5,000 hotel workers are threatening a strike after the deadline for a new contract passed at midnight. This could have a major impact on 36 hotels around Boston and Cambridge.

By Daniel Cordova Rubio

Since the beginning of last month, more than 2,500 workers from 12 hotels throughout Boston have taken part in three waves of limited-duration strikes, with each wave lasting three days. A larger strike would be a major escalation after smaller strikes that affected a handful of hotels.

The local union says there have been months of deadlock with no deal in sight. Obstacles during contract negotiations include healthcare, pensions, and wages. More workers are expected to walk off the job this weekend.

“The industry has fully recovered from Covid, we need a significant amount of money in wages up front to make up for the lost income that have had over the last couple of years,” said Unite Here Local 26 President Carlos Aramayo.The union said raises offered by the hotel companies do not reflect the record profits they are making and are not enough to keep up with the increasing cost of living.

Workers have urged guests not to eat, meet, or sleep at any hotel that is on strike. Hotel managers have hired temporary staff to provide service to guests.

“I work two jobs in order to provide for my family,” said Yuri Yep, a Restaurant Server at the Omni Parker House for 10 years, “I’m always rushing, and I don’t even have time to see my kids. I’m missing out on my own life…” 

“Hilton continues to make every effort to maintain a cooperative and productive relationship with UNITE HERE Local 26, a union that represents some of our Team Members. We remain committed to negotiating in good faith to reach a fair and reasonable agreement that is beneficial to both our valued Team Members and our hotels,” a Hilton spokesperson said.