CNN
—
The largest hospitality union in Southern California has approved a strike for more than 15,000 workers that could begin in early July if an agreement isn’t reached on increased pay and other benefits.
Unite Here Local 11 – the union representing room attendants, cooks, dishwashers and front desk agents among other workers – voted Friday on authorizing the strike with a 96% approval. The group claimed the strike would mark “the largest hotel worker strike in modern US industry.”
The union is asking for a $5-dollar hourly wage increase, affordable family healthcare, a pension that will enable workers to retire with security, and a safe, humane workload, according to a union news release.
“Hotel workers who work in the booming Los Angeles’ tourism industry must be able to live in Los Angeles” said Kurt Petersen, the union’s co-president. “The industry shamelessly exploited the pandemic and is now reaping