Some 1500 union hotel workers, members of Unite Here Local 2, have won a new contract with  Marriott-owned locations in the Bay Area that affected more than 27 percent of hotels. The contract was ratified with 99.8 percent approval and ended a three- month long strike. The new four-year contract covers around 2000 Marriott workers. It preserves the current affordable union health-care plan, which covers workers and their families; provides strong wage increases throughout the life of the contract; and creates new protections against understaffing.

Since Labor Day more than 10,000 hotel workers across the U.S. have been on strike. Hotel workers are fighting to reverse the cuts that were made by hotels at the start of the pandemic, when the vast majority of the 300,000 UNITE HERE members across the U.S. had been laid off. Today, workers in the hotel industry are still fighting for compensation that will allow them to work only one job. The reality is that many work two or three jobs. The hotels want union members to give even more concessions to maintain the bosses’ profits. In San Francisco, hotel workers marched through the city raising their demands in the streets, highlighting the urgent need to maintain affordable healthcare. Jorge, a 35-year banquet houseman at the Marriot Marquis, said, “I’m on strike for my son who has autism. He’s 16 years old and needs regular doctor visits. Even if we get a wage increase without health insurance then all my money will go toward health,care.”

The struggle continues for 1,000 hotel workers at Hilton and Hyatt locations in the Bay Area who remain on strike. For workers like Geraldine, a Hilton housekeeper, the fight to stop the bosses from gutting their healthcare is crucial. Unite Here Local 2 posted on X that Geraldine’s son’s vision was saved thanks to her union health insurance.

Starbucks workers, like workers at Amazon, are leading a dynamic organizing effort and are demanding that Starbucks come to the negotiating table in good faith. Currently, Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) says that the company has hundreds of unresolved unfair labor practice charges.

Silvia Baldwin, a Philadelphia barista and bargaining delegate, said in SBWU statement, “It’s time to finalize a foundational framework that includes meaningful investments in baristas and to resolve unfair labor practice charges. Starbucks can’t get back on track as a company until it finalizes a fair contract that invests in its workforce. Right now, I’m making $16.50 an hour. Meanwhile, Brian Niccol’s compensation package is worth $57,000 an hour. The company just announced I’m only getting a 2.5% raise next year, $0.40 an hour, which is hardly anything. It’s one Starbucks drink per week. Starbucks needs to invest in the baristas who make Starbucks run.”

Silvia is part of a growing movement that includes 11,000 organized Starbucks workers from 525 stores in 45 states. Core issues for these workers include respect, living wages, racial and gender equity, and fair scheduling. Strike locations started in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Chicago but are quickly expanding to include more locations like Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Denver.

Workers in hotels and Starbucks, alongside the Amazon strike, point the way forward for the U.S. working class. Withholding our labor is the main power workers have to win demands from the bosses. Workers’ Voice stands in solidarity with all of these struggles and encourages our readers to join these picket lines!