Nationwide Hotel Strike Impacts Meeting Groups

More than 9,000 hotel workers in nine cities — Boston, Greenwich, Honolulu, Kauai, San Diego, San Francisco, Baltimore, Seattle, and San Jose — were on strike this weekend. Meeting professionals can expect more to come.

In addition, strikes are authorized in New Haven, Oakland, and Providence. Plus, about 40,000 hotel workers have contracts expiring over the next year.

Higher wages that don’t cover the cost of living, and adequate staffing are at issue. Many hotels used the Covid pandemic to cut staffing, according to Unite Here.

“Meeting groups should contact their hotel venues to confirm all promised hotel services will be delivered according to the contract. Without material diminution in service quality,” says attorney Joshua L. Grimes. 

Managing Meetings Amid the Strikes 

Managing strikes is necessary.  For example, the Santa Clara County Democratic Party is planning to host its Democratic Victory Dinner at the Signia Hotel in San Jose on September 13. Bill James, a spokesperson for the group, says it will not cross picket lines or ask anyone to do so.

“We will monitor the situation closely, necessitating any changes for our event,” James says in a statement. “We stand with the workers and call on the Signia and its parents and affiliates to negotiate in good faith to bring the dispute to a fair resolution.”

The Greater Boston Labor Council’s Labor Day breakfast was also impacted. Previously held in the Hilton Park Plaza Hotel, it moved to Statler Park across the street. It didn’t want attendees to have to cross a picket line.

Due Diligence Helps

The non-profit Informed Meetings Exchange (INMEX), founded with Unite Here, provides meeting planning resources. “We advise our groups about expiring contracts, labor dispute risks, and pending strikes. By doing our homework we can avoid these issues and steer our clients to hotels free from disputes,” says Christine Busiek, CMP, executive director of INMEX.

Contracts should include labor disruption remedies. 

“Planners with functions in the next several weeks should focus on reaching agreements with impacted hotels to ensure they will have personnel on hand to successfully stage the event,” says Grimes. “There may be contractual liability if services aren’t provided as promised, but that’s a consideration for after the event date passes.”