Southern California hotel workers go on strike during peak tourist season

Southern California faces a major challenge as thousands of hospitality workers decided to go on strike at the beginning of peak tourist season in that area due to the summer weather and during a scheduled event that attracts thousands of attendees.

The strike began Sunday morning and has the support of cooks, dishwashers, waiters, bellhops, receptionists, room attendants, and other hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona.

As explained by the labor union Unite Here Local 11, representing more than 32,000 workers in hotels, restaurants, airports, sports stadiums and convention centers, 96% of its members voted in favor of the strike, which demands better wages and health care benefits, as well as higher pension contributions and a reduced workload.

"Our members were devastated first by the pandemic and now by the greed of their bosses. The industry got bailouts while we got cuts," said Kurt Petersen, union co-president.

The strike began after contracts expired at more than 60 hotels, including well-known chains such as Marriott and Hilton. Around 500 workers from the InterContinental and Indigo hotels downtown started the protest and were soon joined by employees from the DoubleTree by Hilton, the Biltmore Los Angeles and the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point.

The Anime Expo

As the workers are walking off their jobs, an event is taking place in Los Angeles that brings together fans of Japanese pop culture and may attract up to 100,000 attendees.

According to reports, the Anime Expo, which kicked off July 1, is already sold out, and attendees were offered accommodations at hotels such as the Marriott and Hilton. However, care and accommodations could be greatly affected now that their employees have decided to strike.