Workers picket in front of the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Chicago Tonight)
After two weeks on the picket lines, the union representing striking workers announced Saturday on Twitter that a contract agreement had been reached with two more hotels.
GREAT NEWS! We have ratified a contract with the Hotel Allegro and the Hotel Palomar!
WE ARE STILL ON STRIKE AT 17 HOTELS!
See the full list of striking hotels at https://t.co/wNIGeajh1a#ChicagoHotelStrike pic.twitter.com/AAvOFhTdn1
— UNITE HERE Local 1 (@UniteHerelocal1) September 22, 2018
The announcement came just two days after the union had reached an agreement with seven of more than two dozen hotels.
GREAT NEWS! We've ratified a contract with the following hotels:
Sheraton
W City Center
W Lakeshore
Westin Michigan Ave
Westin River North
JW Marriott
Hotel BlakeWE ARE STILL ON STRIKE AT 19 HOTELS!
Full list of striking hotels at https://t.co/wNIGeajh1a#ChicagoHotelStrike pic.twitter.com/0K3IQ8FBw0
— UNITE HERE Local 1 (@UniteHerelocal1) September 20, 2018
The president of the union representing the hospitality workers said in a statement the agreement came at the end of successful negotiations with Marriott.
“On behalf of striking members of UNITE HERE Local 1, we wish to thank the members of the Chicago Building Trades, the Teamsters, the Elevator Constructors, and the Chicago Federation of Labor for honoring our picket lines,” said UNITE Here Local 1 President Karen Kent in a statement Thursday.
Workers had been striking around the clock at more than two dozen Chicago hotels following the expiration of their contract. UNITE Here Local 1 said they will continue to strike at 17 other hotels.
The 6,000 workers – which include housekeepers, bellmen, doormen, servers, bartenders and banquet servers – are seeking year-round health care coverage as many lose benefits when they’re laid off during slower months.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel praised both sides for reaching an agreement, calling it in a statement Thursday “a significant step forward for the union, the hotels and the city.”
Marriott International confirmed in a statement that an agreement has been signed. “We appreciate the assistance provided by the Mayor’s office. We look forward to having our associates back to work,” the statement reads.
Contracts expired Aug. 31 and cover 30 hotels, including the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Hilton Chicago, Palmer House and Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Workers began striking at 5 a.m. Friday, Sept. 7. (A list of affected hotels is available here.) Contracts with each hotel are negotiated separately.
Note: This story was originally published Sept. 21, 2018.
Contact Kristen Thometz: @kristenthometz | [email protected] | (773) 509-5452
Related stories
No End in Sight for Chicago Hotel Workers’ Strike
Chicago’s Minimum Wage is Rising, But is it Enough to Live On?
In Wake of Janus Decision, What’s Next for Public Unions
Report: For Minimum Wage Workers, Affordable Housing ‘Out of Reach’
