The almost Ten month strike which initially involved approximately 60 hotels and more than 15,000 employees in Los Angeles and Orange counties, is nearing its end.
In late April, the powerful hospitality union Unite Here Local 11 announced that it had reached tentative contract agreements with 12 hotels in Southern California. And on Friday, officials with Unite Here Local 11 said the union had reached agreements with six more local hotels in recent days.
So far, nearly three dozen other hotels have reached agreements with workers during periodic strikes that began in July. The new contracts granted higher wages and other benefits to thousands of housekeepers, cooks, dishwashers, servers and front desk clerks.
“Hotels are falling in line,” said Kurt Petersen, co-president of Unite Here Local 11. “We win more the longer this goes on.”
Stephanie Peterson, spokesperson for Aimbridge Hospitality, which operates six recently established hotels in the region, said in a statement: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the Union that puts our people first, and we are taking immediate steps to begin paying the back payments our employees have been waiting for.”
The new contracts include an almost immediate $5 per hour increase for workers who typically don't earn tips, including receptionists, dishwashers and housekeepers. These employees will see a total hourly wage increase of $10 over the course of the contract, which expires in January 2028.
Hotel Figueroa, LA Grand and Glendale Hilton are among nine hotels whose owners are still in contract negotiations with the union.
One point of contention was the practice of some hotels recruiting recent migrants living in a Skid Row shelter to replace striking workers.
In a compromise, four hotels agreed to give migrant workers priority in taking permanent jobs. The hotels include Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica, Four Points by Sheraton, Holiday Inn LAX and Pasadena Hilton.
“This is a testament to the idea that no workers are left behind,” Petersen said. “Our members saw workers exploited and felt a sense of solidarity. The bosses' plan to divide people didn't work.”
As part of the union's agreement with Sheraton Park Anaheim, employees who made allegations of sexual harassment and were banned from the premises will be brought back to work.
Fairfield Inn & Suites and Aloft hotels in El Segundo, which are owned by a real estate affiliate of the Blackstone Group, have also approved agreements with the union.
Blackstone Group spokesperson Jeffrey Kauth said: “The agreement significantly increases wages and benefits over the life of the contract and provides a framework to recognize a broader range of employees who will benefit from these increases. We are proud to continue our positive working relationship with the union.”
During months of strikes, tensions have risen at picket lines at several hotels and in some locations they continue even after deals have been struck.
Outside the Hilton Pasadena, a worker and two union members who were picketing were issued noise citations by local police. They face criminal charges for using portable megaphones.
Both the union and lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California sharply criticized the city for pursuing the suit during a city council meeting Monday.
Peter J. Eliasberg, chief attorney at the ACLU of Southern California, sent a letter May 15 to Pasadena City Council members, the police chief and the city attorney urging the city to file charges statement, saying they “very likely violate the First Amendment and the rights of liberty. of Speech Clause of the California Constitution.”
Video footage taken by the union's general counsel, Jeremy Blasi, and reviewed by The Times shows two police officers taking decibel readings from several picketers on a public sidewalk a few feet away.
“The city supports the freedom of expression of protesters and does not take sides in disputes, but must balance the rights of those protesting with those of local residents and businesses affected by protest activities,” said Lisa Derderian, spokesperson for the city of Pasadena . in an emailed statement.
Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo said the city planned to review the issues raised by the ordinance, but said he could not comment on the claims.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson called the deal a “historic contract agreement that will ensure hospitality workers have the dignity of a living wage and industry-leading benefits to support their families,” according to a press release from Unite Here Local 11 in April.
“Over the next four years, as we prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games and welcome visitors from around the world to our vibrant Long Beach community, we can be proud that our local tourism economy continues to thrive, while we value to the workforce that runs our hospitality industry,” Richardson said.
