Skip to Content
Featured

‘I Don’t Make Enough For Rent’ ~ L.A. Hotel Workers Poised To Strike As Early As Wednesday

Workers at the some of the most popular Los Angeles area hotels could go on strike ahead of the holidays  — possibly as early as Wednesday — if contract negotiations with management remain deadlocked, Unite Here Local 11 spokesman Andrew Cohen told L.A. Taco.

“We will have an action this Wednesday for sure. I can’t go into details but the locations will be [Downtown L.A.], Anaheim, and Santa Monica,” Cohen said.

Wednesday’s action will test the union’s strength in mobilizing its members, Cohen said. The union has not decided yet but, most likely, it will be at one of three landmarks: The Westin Bonaventure Hotel at 404 South Figueroa, Grand Sheraton Los Angeles at 711 South Hope Street, or the J.W. Marriott Los Angeles LA Live at 900 W. Olympic Blvd.

“The cost of living here in L.A. is really expensive. I don’t make enough to pay monthly bills like rent, babysitting, or my children’s schooling. That’s why if the company doesn’t listen to us, we are ready to go on strike,” said Dina Paredes, housekeeper at the Westin Bonaventure in Downtown L.A.

More than 20 labor contracts at hotel brands including Marriott, Hilton, and InterContinental ran out on Nov. 30.

'The cost of living here in L.A. is really expensive.'

Some 7,500 cooks, dishwashers, housekeepers, and janitors are on the ready, poised to strike over a list of union demands that include boosting their pay to $25 an hour and implementation of panic buttons due to concerns by female hotel staff over sexual harassment.

With the holiday season drawing near, some hotels have already been the site of protests in a build-up to what has already become the largest series of hotel strikes in U.S. history. The vote comes on the heels of historic worker strikes at 20 hospitality chains in more than 10 cities across the country this year. The strike authorization vote also comes as workers settled a strike in San Francisco late last week.

“We are asking that this contract get workers to $25 an hour,” said Kurt Petersen, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, “L.A. has one of the highest costs of living in the country, and our booming tourism industry can afford to pay its workers a living wage.”

Marriott International didn’t respond to a request by L.A. Taco for a comment.

Last year, Los Angeles welcomed 48.3 million visitors, the seventh consecutive year of record-breaking tourism numbers for the city. At the same time, median rent in the city rose to $1,760 for a two-bedroom apartment, according to the union.

RELATED: L.A. Teachers to Strike in January If There’s No Deal with District

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

The Evil Cooks Open Their First Brick-And-Mortar In ‘Hell Sereno’

After being a pop-up taquería since 2018, Evil Cooks' now has a brick and mortar business a few blocks away from their original front yard location, featuring their infamous taco creations like their 'McSatan' and 'Rock Lobster.'

November 13, 2024

Nine L.A. Restaurants That Will Do Thanksgiving For You, From Pupusas to ‘Chinese Turkey’

From 12-hour-roasted brisket in East L.A. to a Thai feast in Atwater and Chinatown’s famous Chinese Turkey, have a stress-free Thanksgiving and buy your dinner this season at these L.A. restaurants.

November 12, 2024

This Weekend: Thai-Salvadoran Sandwiches, Asado Negro Tacos, and New Westside Korean

Plus wild caught Maine lobster rolls, Guatemalan garnachas on a lake, and a favorite for tacos al vapor.

November 8, 2024

L.A.’s First Cochinita Pibil is Legendary and Still Amazing, 52 Years Later

“Cochinita is my fountain of youth,” jokes Marc Burgos, the second-generation owner of this pioneering panaderia. At 50 years old, he is younger than his father’s pioneering Yucatán bakery, the first in L.A. to offer cochinita pibil tacos. 

November 7, 2024

The 24 Best Tacos Al Pastor, Adobada, and Árabes In Los Angeles

Is al pastor L.A.'s official taco? Judging by the sheer amount of crispy-edged trompos dotted around every single corner of this beautiful city, we can certainly make that argument. Here is our vetted list that took us nearly two decades to compile. ¡Provecho!

November 7, 2024
See all posts