Hundreds of hospitality workers who walked picket lines over the holiday weekend, targeting 19 Southern California hotels, were back on the job today, but union officials warned that more work stoppages could occur at any time.
Workers represented by the Unite Here Local 11 union went on strike at 6:01 a.m. Sunday, and picketing continued through the Fourth of July holiday at hotels in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Orange County and elsewhere.
The workers returned to their jobs Wednesday, but the union insisted that doesn’t mean the strike is over. The union’s Maria Hernandez said the first round of picketing targeted 19 hotel properties, but workers at 41 other properties are poised to walk off the job — something she said could happen “at any moment.”
SEE MORE: What’s behind the workers’ strike at Southern California hotels?
In a statement, union officials said the holiday walkout “marks just the first wave of strikes and disruption by hotel workers across the region. Workers will not rest until they are paid a wage that allows them to live in the communities where they work.”
The contract between the hotels and the union expired at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, although the union reached a deal last week with the largest of its employers, the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in downtown Los Angeles.
Contract agreements are unresolved with the remaining hotels.
SEE MORE: Union workers to rally in LA for better wages, benefits
Officials have said the hotels will remain open with management and other nonunion staff filling in.
There has been no word of any renewed contract talks between the union and the Coordinated Bargaining Group negotiating on behalf of the hotels. Speaking to KNX News, Hernandez said the hotels know what workers want — as reflected in the agreement reached with the Westin Bonaventure.
Representatives for the hotels accused workers of being inflexible in their demands.
The union “has not budged from its opening…
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