Thousands of hotel workers in San Francisco have taken to the streets in a major strike that’s shaking the hospitality industry. From housekeepers to servers, these workers are standing up for better pay, healthcare, and working conditions. But what exactly are they asking for?
Today, I interviewed more than a dozen hotel workers on strike at hotels across San Francisco and wanted to share what I heard from them in this article.
The Struggle Behind the Smiles
Hotel workers are the face of hospitality, delivering warm smiles, immaculate rooms, and attentive service. But behind those smiles, many workers say they’re facing increasing pressures on the job. As one restaurant server told me: “We’re expected to do more with less—less time, fewer staff, and shrinking hours. But when we ask for help, all we get is excuses. It’s like talking to a brick wall.”
For many workers, the pandemic exacerbated already existing issues. Before COVID-19, workers said they had a “push and pull” relationship with management—able to negotiate staffing levels and workloads. But that balance has shifted in the aftermath, and many of the people I spoke with felt their concerns fell on deaf ears.
Working Harder for Less
One housekeeper with 12 years of experience at the W Hotel expressed how post-pandemic policies have added to the strain.
Before the pandemic, we cleaned rooms daily. Now, we’re only called in when guests check out, and the workload has become overwhelming.
Her colleagues echoed this, explaining that they are not only doing more but also with fewer resources and reduced hours.
The workload has increased, but wages haven’t kept pace. Workers like her are striking for better pay that reflects the cost of living in one of the most expensive cities in the world.
“Everything is expensive,” she said. “We can’t live with the money they pay us. We need better wages, health care, and pensions to support our families.”
Living Costs Outpacing Wages
The high cost of living in cities like San Francisco is a common thread in workers’ grievances.
Many are juggling two jobs to make ends meet. “Rent, food, gas—everything is going up,” shared one banquet worker. “We’re just asking for wages that reflect this reality. The hotel profits are going up, but our pay is stagnant.”
According to them, many hotel companies have reported significant profits post-pandemic.
One person I spoke with told me, “During the pandemic, the big hotel companies still reported a 23% profit increase. Now it’s 2024, and they’re acting like we’re still in a lockdown regarding pay.”
Health Care on the Line
Healthcare benefits have become another flashpoint, with many workers concerned that their coverage could be cut. One worker said, “They no longer want to give us healthcare. We’re just fighting for something basic—for the ability to take care of ourselves and our families.”
For many, healthcare isn’t just a benefit; it’s a lifeline in an industry that can be physically demanding. Housekeepers, for instance, perform tasks that take a toll on their bodies over time, from lifting heavy bedding to repetitive bending. Without proper healthcare, even routine injuries could lead to long-term consequences.
A Disconnect Between Workers and Management
Workers expressed deep frustration with how out-of-touch management seems with their day-to-day realities. One worker shared, “Managers have weekly meetings to discuss RevPAR (revenue per available room), but when we tell them we need help or more hours, they act like they don’t know how bad things are.”
The recurring theme in these conversations is the disconnect between the frontline staff and upper management. Workers describe management as unwilling to engage in meaningful negotiations or provide transparent responses.
“It’s always ‘we’re sorry, business is slow’—but we know better. We see the profits coming in.”
The Fight for Dignity
At its core, this strike seems to be about more than just wages and hours—it’s about respect and recognition. Workers are the backbone of the hotel industry and deserve to be treated fairly.
As one long-time employee put it, “Hotels exist because of us, the employees. We’re just asking for fairness—fair wages, fair benefits, and the chance to live and work with dignity.”
The sentiment was echoed by many others, who emphasized that their demands were not extravagant. “We’re not asking for the moon,” said a food and beverage worker. “We just want a fair deal that acknowledges the value we bring to the hotel.”
Looking Forward
As the strike continues, hotel workers hope that their voices will be heard.
“We’re not asking for charity,” one explained. “We’re asking for a contract that reflects the reality of living and working in San Francisco in 2024.”
The hospitality industry is often praised for its customer service and guest experiences. However, the voices of those who create those experiences are now demanding a seat at the table, pushing for the same level of care and consideration they’ve always provided to others.
A Time for Change?
The hotel workers’ strike happening now underscores a larger conversation happening across industries—one where workers are seeking fair pay, benefits, and working conditions in an era where profits have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
For the hospitality industry, long-term success hinges not just on guest satisfaction but on addressing the needs of the workers who make that possible. Whether or not these strikes lead to meaningful change remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: hotel workers are ready to fight for the respect and fairness they deserve.
To hear from hotel workers directly, listen to my interviews here on Hospitality Daily Podcast.
