The hotel workers want higher wages, fair schedules, fair workloads and respect. They’re looking for at least $23 an hour in their new union deal.
HOUSTON — Workers at the Hilton Americas hotel in downtown Houston have been on strike since Labor Day.
It’s the first strike of hotel workers in Texas history.
The workers have said they want higher wages and respect. They want at least $23 an hour in a new union contract. They said they’ve been negotiating since their last contract expired on June 30.
“Hospitality and service workers are the heart of Houston’s busy tourism industry, and we’re not getting our fair share of the money coming in,” Texas Chapter President of UNITE HERE Local 23 Franchesca Caraballo said. “This strike sends a message to Hilton and the other tourism companies in Houston that working people are demanding more for our work greeting visitors and guests to the city.”
According to Houston First data, nearly 54 million people visited Houston in 2024. The Hilton workers also want fair schedules, fair workloads and respect.
“I’m on strike for better pay, a fair schedule, and more affordable health insurance. I’m in need of a surgery right now, but if I were to take off, I wouldn’t be able to survive. I had to take out loans this month just to afford my rent. I haven’t been getting the hours I need, even though I’m a full-time employee. I’m depending on partial unemployment to supplement my income because I’m not making enough at the Hilton alone,” Cynthia Pratt said.
Pratt has been a server at 1600 Bar & Grille for 13 years.
She’s not the only one who works at the hotel who’s speaking out.
“I work three jobs to be able to afford groceries, utilities, and the necessities for my family. I’m a mother of three who works three jobs to provide for my kids. So, I’m out on strike walking the picket line and standing with my coworkers so that we get the fairness and respect that we deserve,” Marcella Zaleta said.
She’s a cook at 1600 Bar & Grille at Hilton Americas.
KHOU 11 received this statement from a Hilton spokesperson:
“We respect the unions’ and Team Members’ right to express their points of view and Hilton Americas-Houston makes every effort to maintain a cooperative and productive relationship with UNITE HERE Local 23, a union that represents some of the Team Members at the hotel. We remain committed to negotiating in good faith to reach a fair and reasonable agreement that is beneficial to both our valued Team Members and to the hotel.”
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