Striking hotel workers urge Congress to address resort fees

DOZENS OF STRIKING hotel workers arrived in Washington on Sept. 23 to meet with Congress members, urging action against hotel resort fees. More than 4,000
workers are striking at Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott hotels in Honolulu, San Diego and San Francisco, vowing to continue until new contracts are secured.

Many of the workers traveled from these strike-affected cities, according to UNITE HERE, the union representing hotel, casino and airport workers across the U.S.
and Canada.

The union is lobbying against legislation backed by hotel corporations that would limit states’ ability to regulate resort fees. Hotel workers argue that resort
fees, along with COVID-era service and staffing cuts, undermine the hospitality that guests expect. The workers’ visit included a briefing for congressional staff,
hosted by Sen. Bernie Sanders.

“We’re here because guests and workers share a common goal – we want hotels to reverse COVID-era cuts, protect guests from resort fees, and refocus on providing the
best possible hospitality,” said Gwen Mills, UNITE HERE’s president.