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San Francisco’s hospitality industry is grappling with an unprecedented crisis as workers from some of its most iconic hotels—including the Grand Hyatt, Hilton Union Square, Palace Hotel, Marriott Marquis, Marriott Union Square, and Westin St. Francis—remain on strike. As of Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2024, the strike has entered its 68th day, marking one of the most prolonged and impactful labor disputes in the city’s history. Spearheaded by UNITE HERE Local 2, thousands of hotel employees are standing firm in their demand for fair wages, the restoration of pandemic-era service cuts, and improved working conditions.
The strike has rippled across San Francisco, disrupting the city’s tourism ecosystem at a time when the holiday season typically draws throngs of visitors. For many travelers, the picket lines are an unexpected obstacle, altering plans and creating frustrations, while for the city itself, the standoff is a reflection of deeper challenges within its hospitality sector.
Since September 22, more than 2,500 hotel workers—including housekeepers, bartenders, cooks, servers, and doormen—have been picketing outside these prominent establishments. These hotels collectively represent approximately 27.5% of San Francisco’s hotel inventory, amplifying the strike’s disruptive effect. The workers argue that their demands are not just about wages but about the integrity of the guest experience. They propose tying wage increases to future hotel profits if management agrees to restore critical services, such as reopening restaurants and increasing staffing to enhance safety and improve guest satisfaction.
However, hotel management has pushed back, proposing to phase out union healthcare benefits instead—a move workers claim would worsen already challenging conditions. For these employees, who bore the brunt of sacrifices during the pandemic, the resistance has only deepened their resolve.
Travelers have been caught in the middle of this escalating conflict. Guests staying at strike-affected hotels have reported mounting inconveniences: trash piling up in hallways, the absence of daily housekeeping, shuttered restaurants and bars, and even the cancellation of cherished holiday events, such as the Palace Hotel’s Santa Afternoon Tea. Many have expressed frustration at not being informed about the labor dispute beforehand, arriving in San Francisco only to encounter picket lines and diminished services.
In response, UNITE HERE Local 2 has called for greater transparency, urging hotels to notify guests of the strike and offer refunds to those seeking alternative accommodations. The union has also encouraged travelers to avoid patronizing strike-affected properties altogether, advocating solidarity with the workers who make their stays possible.
To assist travelers, the union has launched a Labor Dispute Map on FairHotel.org, an online resource where visitors can check whether their chosen hotel is involved in the strike and find ethical alternatives. This tool is particularly valuable during the busy holiday season, helping travelers navigate the city’s hospitality landscape with minimal disruption.
The implications of the strike go beyond inconveniences for travelers. San Francisco’s hospitality industry, already reeling from the economic fallout of the pandemic, is facing renewed pressure to adapt. Workers are urging hotels to embrace the “Bet on SF” campaign, which emphasizes reinvesting in staff and services to reinvigorate tourism and revive the city’s struggling economy. They argue that pandemic-era service reductions have contributed to a “doom loop” of declining foot traffic and waning economic activity in San Francisco.
Yet, progress remains elusive. The strike has already led to significant economic repercussions, with over two dozen clients pulling events and room blocks from the city’s hotels due to the ongoing labor dispute. While there is some hope on the horizon—major clients have pledged to book 25,000 room nights in 2025—this commitment is contingent on resolving the strike in time to stabilize the sector.
The strike’s reverberations extend beyond San Francisco. Across the U.S., over 10,000 hotel workers in 11 cities have staged strikes since Labor Day, but San Francisco stands out as the only city where the dispute remains unresolved. This underscores the city’s pivotal role in a broader movement for labor rights and fair treatment in the hospitality industry.
For travelers, the strike serves as a reminder of the unseen labor that underpins every seamless hotel stay. From clean linens to warm meals, these services depend on the efforts of workers who are now fighting for their fair share of the industry’s recovery. For San Francisco, the stakes are even higher, as the outcome of this standoff could shape the future of its tourism-dependent economy.
Visitors planning a trip to the city are advised to stay informed and consider their options carefully. FairHotel.org offers a vital resource for identifying accommodations unaffected by the strike, while those already booked at strike-affected properties are encouraged to reach out to management for refunds or alternative arrangements. Supporting striking workers by avoiding picketed hotels for lodging, dining, or events is another way to show solidarity during this critical time.
As the strike continues, the battle lines have been drawn not just between workers and management but also over the future of San Francisco’s hospitality industry. What began as a demand for fair wages and restored services has evolved into a broader fight for the soul of the city’s tourism economy. For the workers on the picket lines, their resilience reflects a determination to ensure that their sacrifices during the pandemic are neither forgotten nor in vain. For the city, the outcome of this strike could define its path toward recovery and set a precedent for the future of labor in the hospitality sector.
