Friday, August 9, 2024 In Boston, thousands of hotel workers have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a citywide strike, a move that could significantly disrupt the hospitality industry if a new contract is not reached. Unite Here Local 26, the union representing hospitality workers in both Boston and Rhode Island, made the announcement on Thursday, revealing that 99% of its members voted in favor of the strike. This strike, if it occurs, is anticipated to begin as soon as midnight on August 31, coinciding with the expiration of the current contracts and the start of the Labor Day weekend.
The union has been engaged in negotiations since April, advocating for a range of demands. These include higher wages that reflect Boston’s high cost of living, a pension plan, enhanced benefits, measures to prevent on-the-job injuries, and a reversal of staffing cuts that were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike authorization vote marks the first time Local 26 has organized a strike of such a scale, covering more than half of its membership.
Potential Disruption to Boston’s Hospitality Sector The potential strike could involve around 4,500 workers across 35 properties in Boston, including room attendants, housepersons, front desk agents, bellpersons, doorpersons, restaurant servers, cooks, dishwashers, bartenders, and banquet workers. The involvement of such a large number of workers across various roles in the hospitality sector suggests that the strike could lead to si.