(HOUSTON, TEXAS) - The first Hotel Strike in Texas History has come to an end after Strikers voted to ratify a new contract with Hilton Americas-Houston on Friday (October 10th).

The 40-day strike, which was the first Hotel Strike led by Union Members in the State of Texas, has brought significant gains raising the standard for Hotel Workers in the City.

In April, Hospitality Workers launched their campaign to secure a living wage for Houston’s Workers and called on Hilton Americas to lead the way in providing more stable and secure jobs for Workers who make tourism possible.

The new contract secured historic wage increases - making Hilton Americas Houston Housekeepers, Laundry Attendants and Stewards the first to earn a $20 minimum wage with guaranteed wage increases that will bring Workers to a $22 minimum by the end of the contract.

The agreement also provides strong job security protections along with improved housekeeping workloads and job safety - raising the standard for Hotel Workers struggling to survive in one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., UNITE HERE Local 23 Officials added.

“This victory is an attestation of our Members’ strength, their will and determination,” UNITE HERE Local 23Texas Chapter President Franchesca Caraballo said. “They held the line for over a month in the heat and rain, as they fought to secure better standards after being left behind for so long. It was an incredibly hard fight and the outcome reflects just that. Now we expect all the players in Houston’s Hospitality Industry to follow suit and pay Workers a living wage.” 

The Hotel Workers had the support of the Texas AFL-CIO, the Texas Gulf Coast AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation and dozens of allies whose donations funded the hardship fund that supported Strikers’ ability to afford rent and utilities as they became due.

The Strikers were also uplifted by Houston’s Elected Officials - including City Council Members, the County Commissioners’ Office, Texas State Representatives and Congresspeople.

In addition to Hotel Workers employed at the Hilton Americas, UNITE HERE Local 23 represents Houston Hospitality Workers at the George R. Brown Convention Center, the Marriott Marquis and the George Bush International Airport.

From universities and museums to airport concessions, hotel and Parking Attendants, UNITE HERE Local 23 represents 28,000 Hospitality Workers.

Local 23 Members are active in Georgia, Mississippi, Charlotte, Nashville, Washington, D.C., Boise, Indiana, Denver, New Orleans, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Virginia.

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: On Day 40 of Hilton Americas Hotel Strike Workers Reach an Agreement   : UNITE HERE!

Photo Courtesy of UNITE LOCAL 23’s Website.