Fatima Amahmoud, a housekeeper at the Moxy hotel in downtown Boston, faces an overwhelming challenge every shift, tasked with cleaning up to 17 rooms. On one occasion, she discovered three days’ worth of dog hair heavily embedded in various surfaces—a clear indication that the 30 minutes allocated per room is insufficient. The increase in guests opting out of daily cleaning, framed as an environmentally friendly choice, has become a cost-saving measure for hotels still grappling with labor shortages post-pandemic.
In response, unionized housekeepers are rallying to reinstate automatic daily room cleaning in major hotel chains. They argue that the current workloads are unmanageable and have resulted in reduced hours and declining incomes.
This conflict highlights rising discontent among hotel workers, who, after enduring months of job loss during pandemic shutdowns, are now returning to an industry hindered by ongoing staffing shortages and shifting travel patterns.
Recently, approximately 10,000 hotel workers across 25 hotels in cities such as Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle participated in a strike, with more workers potentially joining as contract negotiations stall. The unions are pressing for better pay and the restoration of prior services.
The management at Hyatt has stated that they are prepared for potential impacts from the strikes, emphasizing their readiness to negotiate through this labor unrest. Meanwhile, hotel chains like Hilton have expressed a commitment to good-faith negotiations.
This labor situation is especially critical for low-wage women, predominantly Black and Hispanic, who are often the backbone of the hospitality workforce. While women are re-entering the job market, a disparity persists in employment rates between those with and those without college degrees.
According to the latest statistics, the U.S. hotel industry employs around 1.9 million individuals, which is still about 196,000 fewer than before the pandemic. Notably, nearly 90% of housekeepers are women, a demographic that largely comprises women of color and immigrants.
Union representatives emphasize that these negotiations are part of a broader struggle for fair compensation for service workers, advocating for pay on par with traditionally male-dominated industries.
The union’s recent successes in Southern California—which included significant wage increases and enhanced pension contributions—are seen as a roadmap for victories in the ongoing negotiations, with targets set for housekeepers to earn $35 per hour by 2027.
Current surveys indicate that 80% of hotel establishments are facing staffing shortages, with a significant focus on housekeeping roles. Many hotel operators claim to have increased wages in recent months to attract more employees.
Despite optimistic claims from hotel management regarding employee satisfaction, many workers report a more complex reality. Instances of inadequate hours and precarious schedules continue to burden workers, forcing some to rely on credit to meet basic living expenses.
As unionized members push for improvements, fundamental labor rights, equitable wage practices, and adequate working conditions are at the forefront of demands in the hospitality sector. The sentiment among workers remains that these legitimate grievances must be addressed to ensure a sustainable future for all hotel employees.
The ongoing labor dialogue and strikes shed light on the persistent effort to improve working conditions within the hospitality industry, aiming to resolve the disparities exacerbated by the pandemic.
