About 2,000 workers at Hawaii's largest resort, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, went on strike on Tuesday, joining thousands of others striking at hotels in various U.S. cities. The strike, which began at 5 a.m., is open-ended and workers are demanding higher wages, more manageable workloads, and a reversal of cuts made during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as limited daily room cleaning. The strike has impacted operations at the largest Hilton in the world.
Guests at the resort woke up to drum beats, whistles, and chants as workers marched outside the property. The strike is part of a larger movement calling for better working conditions and fair compensation for hotel workers. Signs with slogans like “One Job Should Be Enough” were visible as workers voiced their concerns about the high cost of living in Hawaii, which often forces residents to work multiple jobs.
Across the U.S., more than 10,000 hotel workers went on strike over the Labor Day weekend, with most strikes lasting two to three days. In Honolulu, San Diego, and San Francisco, over 4,000 hotel workers from Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott are currently on strike. The UNITE HERE union has stated that the strikes will continue until new contracts are secured, with the possibility of more strikes in the near future.
One worker, who is a single mother holding three jobs, emphasized her commitment to staying on strike until their demands are met. Another worker highlighted the importance of daily housekeeping, stating that it is essential for maintaining cleanliness and guest satisfaction.
Meanwhile, at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children, over 600 nurses were locked out after a one-day strike. The nurses are advocating for safer patient-nurse ratios, leading to tensions that resulted in arrests as temporary nurses were blocked from entering the hospital. Hawaii Governor Josh Green and Attorney General Anne Lopez have urged hospital and union leaders to seek federal mediation to facilitate reaching a resolution.
