San Francisco's hotel workers strike has seen a significant development as Hyatt employees, after a three-month-long dispute, have reached a tentative agreement with the hotel chain. According to KTVU, Unite Here Local 2 union members voted last Saturday to ratify the new four-year contract, which mirrors the deal their Marriott counterparts secured just a day ago. This new contract promises wage increases, maintenance of health insurance plans, critical measures to prevent understaffing, and protections from workload hikes that have become a notable concern since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a celebration tinged with relief, 600 workers, including 250 actively striking at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco, found solace in the ratified agreement. Sergio Hernandez, a busser with 16 years at the Grand Hyatt, conveyed the personal weight of this victory, as per the San Francisco Chronicle, "Winning this contract is the biggest victory of my life." Hernandez also expressed his solidarity with the ongoing Hilton San Francisco Union Square strike, committing to join their picket line in their continued fight for similar benefits.
The contract terms were confirmed by Michael D'Angelo, Hyatt's head of labor relations-Americas, stating the company's commitment to competitive wages and comprehensive healthcare. D'Angelo's announcement, coinciding with the holiday travel surge, signals an imminent return to work for hundreds of hotel employees. Nevertheless, with roughly 650 union members still striking at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, the city's hotel labor disputes are far from fully resolved.
