New President of Top Hotel Union Warns of Labor Showdown: 'We Want Increased Wages'
Skift Take
New union leader Gwen Mills is preparing for tough negotiations as contracts between hotel groups and about 40,000 hotel workers are set to expire.
After the labor union Unite Here elected Gwen Mills its president on June 20, Mills said she expected a showdown over worker contracts with major hotel groups over the next year.
Mills said about 40,000 hotel workers in 22 markets in the U.S. and Canada have union contracts that might expire. The union may strike or take other organized action in the next year as they negotiate with Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and other major brands. As of today, about 10,000 workers are on a path to striking, though talks are dynamic.
"Hotel staffing per occupied room is down while revenue per room is up," Mills said. "So hotels are making plenty of money. We wa
