As Comic-Con Begins, Hotel Workers Went On Strike... And Won

The workers at the hotel set up a picket line in front of the hotel just as it was about to open its doors to Comic Con attendees. The strike only lasted a few hours and proved once again that collective action, worker solidarity, and excellent timing will often force management to present reasonable offers.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported last Wednesday that despite the oncoming legion of nerds, geeks, and fans that are set to swarm the sold out hotel, management had not come to an agreement with the Unite Here Local 30 which represents nearly 450 full-time employees and an additional 150 They presented an agreement that the president of Unite Here Local 30 views positively which ended the strike for now.

Browning told the Union-Tribute that the tentative agreement addressed many issues for hotel workers. San Diegans who work in the hotel industry have a fighting chance to succeed because the economy can't recover by leaving them behind. We didn't want to strike during this important week for San Diego tourism, but it's clear this is what it takes to get the wages and benefits these workers deserve.

Hours before one of the largest pop culture conventions in the world is set to begin, the union went on strike. The site of many panels and press conferences throughout the event, including discussions for Abbott Elementary, Vampire Academy, and Chucky, is theHilton Bayfront.

The union wanted pay and work hours to be negotiable. The union wants a $4.00 raise for its members over the course of 2 years and wants to restore the daily room cleaning requirements which have been cut back. The details of the tentative agreement have not been made public.

A representative for the hotel told io9 that they are in negotiations with UNITE HERE Local 30 which represents some of their team members. Contingency plans are in place to make sure operations run smoothly. We are confident that the hotel and the union will reach a fair agreement that will benefit both our valued Team Members and our hotel.

They didn't reply to questions about how the strike would affect attendees or if they would have to cross a picket line to attend panels and events.

In the wake of the successful strike action, io9 reached out to Unite Here Local 30 and will update this piece if and when they reply.

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