Hotel workers in Los Angeles’ Biltmore Hotel reach tentative contract after strike.
Millennium Biltmore Hotel Reaches Labor Agreement with Striking Workers
LOS ANGELES—In anticipation of its upcoming 100th anniversary, the Millennium Biltmore hotel has reached a tentative labor agreement with striking hospitality workers, announced by their union on Sept. 29. This marks the second major Los Angeles hotel to strike a contract deal.
The Unite Here Local 11 union revealed that the agreement will impact 300 workers at the historic downtown hotel, which first opened its doors on Oct. 1, 1923.
“We applaud the Biltmore Los Angeles for putting their workers and our city first,” said Kurt Petersen, union co-president. “L.A. is the world’s most important tourist destination, with the World Cup and Olympics coming back to back in 2026 and 2028. This agreement takes steps to ensure that workers who work in L.A. will be able to live in L.A.”
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The union had previously reached a labor deal with the operators of the Westin Bonaventure hotel downtown. However, strikes are still ongoing at other hotels across the region. The union has organized picketing in various areas, including a recent rally in the Santa Monica area, making their demands heard loud and clear.
According to the union, the tentative agreement with the Biltmore includes “unprecedented wage increases,” affordable family health care coverage, “humane workloads and safe staffing,” improved pensions, and “equal justice” language that provides access to union jobs for formerly incarcerated individuals.
“We are very pleased to have come to an agreement with Unite Here Local 11 on behalf of our loyal and dedicated employees,” said Biltmore General Manager Jimmy Wu. “We can now focus together on looking after our guests and providing the level of service our guests have come to expect from the Biltmore Los Angeles.”
In a recent survey conducted by the union, 96 percent of its members approved a strike authorization. The survey also revealed that 53 percent of members have either moved or plan to move in the near future due to the skyrocketing housing costs in the Los Angeles area.
Currently, union members earn between $20 and $25 per hour. Negotiators are pushing for an immediate $5 per hour raise, along with an additional $3 per hour in the following years of the contract, as well as improvements in healthcare and retirement benefits.
The strike by members of Unite Here Local 11 began on July 2 and has continued through the Fourth of July holiday. The union represents a range of workers, including cooks, room attendants, dishwashers, servers, bellmen, and front desk agents.
Representatives for the Coordinated Bargaining Group, which represents local hotels, have accused the union of being inflexible in their demands.
“From the outset, the union has shown no desire to engage in productive, good faith negotiations with this group,” stated the representatives in a previous statement. “The union has not budged from its opening demand two months ago of up to a 40 percent wage increase and an over 28 percent increase in benefit costs.”
Attorney Keith Grossman of Hirschfeld Kraemer, one of the firms representing the hotel coalition, stated that employers have offered raises of $2.50 per hour in the first 12 months and $6.25 over four years. He also mentioned that housekeepers at unionized hotels in Beverly Hills and downtown Los Angeles, who currently earn $25 per hour, would receive a 10 percent wage increase in 2024, reaching over $31 per hour by January 2027.
Mr. Grossman argued that the workers are on strike “because the union is determined to have one.”
Unite Here Local 11 represents approximately 15,000 workers employed at around 60 major hotels in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
How does the Millennium Biltmore hotel’s labor agreement contribute to the overall welfare of the city of Los Angeles and its hospitality industry
Hotel, 80% of guests stated that the friendliness and efficiency of the hotel’s staff were key factors in their positive experience. With this labor agreement, the Millennium Biltmore hotel is not only ensuring a high level of service for its guests but also prioritizing the well-being and livelihoods of its workers.
The agreement’s provision for wage increases demonstrates the hotel’s recognition of the hard work and dedication of its employees. By offering affordable family health care coverage, the hotel is taking a step towards supporting the overall well-being of its workers and their families. Ensuring humane workloads and safe staffing levels is a testament to the hotel’s commitment to creating a positive and healthy work environment.
Moreover, the Millennium Biltmore’s inclusion of improved pensions is a commendable effort to provide long-term financial security for its employees. The addition of “equal justice” language is a notable provision that promotes inclusivity and provides opportunities for individuals who may have faced barriers in the past.
The union’s praise for the hotel’s commitment to putting workers first is well-deserved. By reaching this agreement, the Millennium Biltmore hotel has not only recognized the importance of its employees but has also contributed to the overall welfare of the city. With Los Angeles being a significant tourist destination, attracting events such as the World Cup and Olympics, it is essential for workers to have the means to live and thrive in the city they contribute to.
While this agreement is a significant step forward, it is essential to acknowledge that strikes and ongoing negotiations persist at other hotels in the region. The union’s organized picketing and demonstrations are a powerful means of expressing the demands and concerns of hospitality workers. The Millennium Biltmore’s successful labor agreement can hopefully serve as an example and motivate other hotel operators to prioritize fair labor practices.
The labor agreement reached by the Millennium Biltmore hotel and the Unite Here Local 11 union will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the lives of the 300 workers it affects. It sets a precedent for the hospitality industry and renews the hotel’s commitment to providing exceptional service to its guests. As the hotel approaches its 100th anniversary, this agreement marks a significant milestone in its history, solidifying its dedication to both its employees and the Los Angeles community.
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