# Chicago hotel workers vote to strike > Over 7,000 Chicago hotel workers vote to strike after contracts expire. - Title: Chicago hotel workers vote to strike · Chicago Sun-Times - Summary: Over 7,000 Chicago hotel workers vote to strike after contracts expire. Chicago hotel workers voted to authorize a strike as contracts with 46 hotels expired. - Keywords: unite here local 1, chicago, hotel workers, strike, marriott, hyatt, hilton, downtown chicago, contract expiration, labor negotiations, strike authorization, news - Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/09/22/hotel-workers-authorize-strike-vote-unite-here-hilton-hyatt-marriott - Published: 2026-09-22T23:06:35.489+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: unite here local 1, chicago, hotel workers, strike, marriott, hyatt, hilton, downtown chicago, contract expiration, labor negotiations, strike authorization, news ## Strike vote Over 7,000 downtown Chicago hotel workers voted to authorize a strike. > Tourism in Chicago is booming, all while inflation is increasing, and it’s affecting our hotel workers across the industry ## Contract expiration Hotel contracts with 46 Chicago hotels expired August 31. > Contracts with 46 Chicago hotels expired Aug. 31 ## Strike authorization Unite Here Local 1 members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. > More than 85% of workers voted to go on strike in the first wave of voting ## Union statement Karen Kent, president of Unite Here Local 1, said workers feel the weight of inflation. > Tourism in Chicago is booming, all while inflation is increasing, and it’s affecting our hotel workers across the industry ## Worker impact About a third of workers can’t cover rent or mortgage, two-thirds had hours cut. > Based on a survey of its members, the union said about a third can’t cover rent or mortgage, while two-thirds had their hours cut during the slow period ## Financial disparity Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton returned $22.3 billion to shareholders over three years. > According to Local 1, hotel operators Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton returned $22.3 billion to shareholders over the last three years ## Strike benefits Union members signed up for strike benefits at East-West University in the Loop. > Following a successful strike authorization vote, UNITE HERE Local 1 hotel workers sign up for strike benefits at East-West University in the Loop on Tuesday ## Worker concerns Cassandra Pope, a room attendant, said job demands are becoming too much. > I voted yes to strike because I’ve had enough. They demand and demand, always rushing us in the rooms, without acknowledging that we are human beings ## Another worker Patricia Davila Garcia, a Westin River North room attendant, said living costs are too high. > These companies make all the profit and don’t give us back our share. Living is becoming so expensive in Chicago ## Past strike The last strike by Chicago hotel workers lasted about a month in 2018. > The last strike by unionized hotel workers in Chicago, in 2018, lasted about a month ## Hotel response Hyatt offered competitive wages and benefits during negotiations. > Our colleagues are the heart of our business, and Hyatt has a long history of cooperation with the unions that represent our employees, including UNITE HERE Local 1 ## Negotiations ongoing UNITE HERE Local 1 has been negotiating with hotel groups since June. > The union has been negotiating since June with representatives of 46 hotels ## Key takeaway Chicago hotel workers voted to authorize a strike as contracts with 46 hotels expired.