FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 17, 2023
CONTACT
Sarah Lyons, [email protected], 312-385-0603
Chicago hotel workers at Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt properties reach historic deal ahead of 2023 contract expiration
Agreement averts labor disruptions at major downtown hotels, lifts hourly wage to $25
Chicago – Chicago hotel workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 1 at Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt-operated properties have ratified a new contract. The announcement comes two weeks ahead of the August 31st contract expiration date.
While Illinois hotels have seen record-breaking revenue this year, Chicago hotel workers who were hit hard by the pandemic have been struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.
The new three-year agreement requires that hotels clean guest rooms every day, provides a $25 per hour minimum for non-tipped workers, preserves workers’ excellent healthcare coverage, and strengthens their pension.
“The raise to $25 per hour means I can quit my part time job and spend more time with my wife who is suffering from long COVID. Now, I’ll be able to tell her things are going to be okay and really mean it,” said Luis Cuevas, a kitchen steward at the W City Center who lives in Rogers Park.
“Going back to daily room cleaning means I’ll have energy to play with my grandkids when I get home from work. When rooms aren’t cleaned every day, the work is much harder. Cleaning rooms every day is good for room attendants and for the guests,” said Shameeka Torry, a room attendant at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place who lives in Englewood.
“Since my wife’s brain surgery, she relies on daily medication to stay alive. It would be impossible to pay for it out of pocket. Maintaining our great health insurance means my wife will continue to get the care she needs,” explained Jesus Morales, a banquet server at The Drake Hotel and resident of Garfield Ridge.
“Amid this hot labor summer, it is great to see hotel workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 1 come to an agreement with the three biggest hotel chains in Chicago. In contrast to 2018, we’re seeing this come before contract expiration, ensuring labor peace at major downtown hotels. The Chicago Federation of Labor applauds all the parties for reaching an agreement that allows hotel workers to catch up and keeps our city moving forward,” said Bob Reiter, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor.
“This agreement will allow us to bring our collective focus back to showing visitors to Chicago true hospitality, starting with the return of daily room cleaning. It is a path forward which begins our world class city’s return to first class guest service and takes care of the workers who are the heart and soul of the Chicago hospitality experience,” stated Karen Kent, President of UNITE HERE Local 1.
During the last round of contract negotiations in 2018, thousands of Chicago hotel workers walked out on strike in the broadest hotel work stoppage in the city’s history. The 2023 agreement covers the majority of Chicago hotel workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 1 with contracts expiring this year, averting labor disruptions at major convention hotels throughout the city.
More Chicago hotels join Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott properties in settling with hotel workers before contract expiration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
CONTACT
Sarah Lyons, [email protected], 312-385-0603
More Chicago hotels join Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott properties in settling with hotel workers before contract expiration
Six additional hotels avoid labor disruptions, workers’ wages rise to $25 per hour
Chicago – Today, hotel workers at the Fairmont Chicago, Ritz-Carlton Chicago, Voco/Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown, Royal Sonesta Chicago River North, and the Allegro Royal Sonesta approved a new contract ahead of the August 31st deadline. This comes on the heels of last week’s historic settlement between hotel workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 1 and Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt.
Like the contract approved for Chicago’s three biggest hotel chains, the contract ratified today requires that hotels clean guest rooms every day, provides a $25 per hour minimum for non-tipped workers, preserves workers’ excellent healthcare coverage, and strengthens their pension.
“It feels good to be treated equally to the workers of Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt. We all work hard and deserve to be able to catch up. With this raise, I’m looking forward to being able to buy a new washer and dryer for my home,” said Nakita Jones, a cook at the Fairmont Chicago and resident of Grand Crossing.
“My daughter is a college sophomore and is studying aerospace engineering. Even with her scholarship, it is expensive. The raise will mean I can put more toward her tuition and the textbooks she needs,” said Elizabeth Moreno who works as a room attendant at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza and lives in Hermosa.
Chicago hotel workers at Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt properties reach historic deal ahead of 2023 contract expiration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 17, 2023
CONTACT
Sarah Lyons, [email protected], 312-385-0603
Chicago hotel workers at Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt properties reach historic deal ahead of 2023 contract expiration
Agreement averts labor disruptions at major downtown hotels, lifts hourly wage to $25
Chicago – Chicago hotel workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 1 at Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt-operated properties have ratified a new contract. The announcement comes two weeks ahead of the August 31st contract expiration date.
While Illinois hotels have seen record-breaking revenue this year, Chicago hotel workers who were hit hard by the pandemic have been struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.
The new three-year agreement requires that hotels clean guest rooms every day, provides a $25 per hour minimum for non-tipped workers, preserves workers’ excellent healthcare coverage, and strengthens their pension.
“The raise to $25 per hour means I can quit my part time job and spend more time with my wife who is suffering from long COVID. Now, I’ll be able to tell her things are going to be okay and really mean it,” said Luis Cuevas, a kitchen steward at the W City Center who lives in Rogers Park.
“Going back to daily room cleaning means I’ll have energy to play with my grandkids when I get home from work. When rooms aren’t cleaned every day, the work is much harder. Cleaning rooms every day is good for room attendants and for the guests,” said Shameeka Torry, a room attendant at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place who lives in Englewood.
“Since my wife’s brain surgery, she relies on daily medication to stay alive. It would be impossible to pay for it out of pocket. Maintaining our great health insurance means my wife will continue to get the care she needs,” explained Jesus Morales, a banquet server at The Drake Hotel and resident of Garfield Ridge.
“Amid this hot labor summer, it is great to see hotel workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 1 come to an agreement with the three biggest hotel chains in Chicago. In contrast to 2018, we’re seeing this come before contract expiration, ensuring labor peace at major downtown hotels. The Chicago Federation of Labor applauds all the parties for reaching an agreement that allows hotel workers to catch up and keeps our city moving forward,” said Bob Reiter, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor.
“This agreement will allow us to bring our collective focus back to showing visitors to Chicago true hospitality, starting with the return of daily room cleaning. It is a path forward which begins our world class city’s return to first class guest service and takes care of the workers who are the heart and soul of the Chicago hospitality experience,” stated Karen Kent, President of UNITE HERE Local 1.
During the last round of contract negotiations in 2018, thousands of Chicago hotel workers walked out on strike in the broadest hotel work stoppage in the city’s history. The 2023 agreement covers the majority of Chicago hotel workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 1 with contracts expiring this year, averting labor disruptions at major convention hotels throughout the city.
The Story of Levy Workers at the United Center
Strike Benefits Information
Strike Benefits – English
Strike Benefits Spanish
Strike Benefits – Chinese
Crowne Plaza: Housekeeping Department
Crowne Plaza seeks a full-time room attendant, a full-time doorman, and a full-time houseperson. To apply, please visit https://careers.hireology.com/crowneplazawestloop
Local_1 CP Referral – 8.9.18
Justice Castillo: A Millennial Key Leader
Q: How did you first get involved with the union?
A: The Starbucks job was my first union job. At first, I knew I had a union job, but I didn’t know how to get involved. I was working at Starbucks and we were really short staffed, I was always tired and my managers weren’t listening to me. For summer break from school I wanted to switch to a day shift, and I found out I was going to be the union escort. My manager discouraged me from doing it but I got the job.
Q: How did being a union escort impact you?
A: At first I didn’t really know much about the union. I just did my job and escorted the organizers while they did their union surveys, until they encouraged me to be more present. When I started listening to the other workers’ stories about the healthcare, that’s when I joined the fight.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: I’m proud of having been a part of the fight. During the strike, so many of my committee turned out. It really made me feel like a leader. I’m happy that we won health insurance for the workers at HMSHost.
Q: Now that you’re on LOA with the hotel team, what are you looking forward to?
A: I look forward to learning and growing with the union, and building my self-confidence and leadership skills. This is an exciting time to be on leave, because the hotel contracts are expiring this summer. I’m excited to join this fight.
Jermaine Gillen: Marching in Memphis to Make History
Jermaine, a shop steward at the Ambassador Chicago, has worked there as a housekeeping supervisor for 13 years. Jermaine travelled to Memphis with Local 1 to make history and march in the same steps as Dr. King and the sanitation workers.
Q: How has the trip impacted you?
A: 50 years after being given a glimpse of what a better life could be like, it’s still only a vision. We are still fighting for a living wage and healthcare. We have seen the vision, but we, the unions across the nation, are still fighting to bring it to life. We no longer want a glimpse of what can be seen through the door of injustice and inequality, but we are now here to remove that door and take what’s ours!
Q: What was a highlight from Memphis?
A: The highlight of going to Memphis was hearing Dr. King’s daughter deliver a speech on the injustice and inequalities that are still alive today in American society and workforce.
Q: How has being a union leader changed your life?
A: Being an involved leader has made me aware of different people’s lives and situations. I’ve learned to listen and teach people about how to fight for each other and themselves. There is power in numbers. I realized we all want the same opportunity to have better working conditions and wages.
Jermaine is now working to make sure that his coworkers who work alone in guest rooms or restrooms will be equipped with panic buttons by July 1, 2018. In his free time, he enjoys biking, spending time with his family, and being an active member of his church.