On Wednesday, August 9, several thousand hotel workers from Chicago gathered for a march down Michigan Avenue and into Daley Plaza.  The march was a stirring display of unity, causing traffic to stop, heads to turn, and bystanders to cheer. 

The route led marchers past some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, including some that are currently negotiating new contracts for their employees.

UNITE HERE Local 1 is currently negotiating new contracts for 7,000 workers at 26 Chicago and O’Hare area hotels.  The contracts are set to expire at midnight on August 31.

The union is working to elevate the profile of the hardworking men and women who perform important tasks such as cleaning rooms and waiting tables in banquet facilities.   

While hotels turn big profits in tourism-heavy locations such as Chicago, their workers struggle to make ends meet on a single low paying job.  Many of the workers are forced to work more than one job just to make ends meet.

The workers were accompanied by their children, spouses, and their union brothers and sisters from UFCW, Laborers, SEIU, and the Chicago Federation of Musicians, to name a few.  They were also joined by members of various community and religious groups.

John W. Wilhelm, President of Hospitality Industry for UNITE HERE joined Henry Tamarin, President of UNITE HERE Local 1 who is leading the contract negotiations.   

Severe understaffing coupled with an increase in room amenities like heavier mattresses and linens are hurting the workers, who are mostly minority and immigrant women. Wages for the same jobs vary wildly from city to city, and workers find themselves fighting to make ends meet and keep important benefits like health care and retirement plans, as well as their right to organize a union.