Full Breakdown
Chicago Hotel Workers Strike Amid Marathon Weekend
By Drooid · · How we work
The Walkout at Six Downtown Hotels
On Friday morning, employees at six downtown Chicago hotels—Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker Chicago, Palmer House, Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, Waldorf Astoria Chicago, The Westin Chicago River North and The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago—walked off the job. The strike involves room attendants, cooks, dishwashers, bellmen, front-desk agents, servers and bartenders. Workers say negotiations failed to produce a contract that meets demands for higher wages, better health-care benefits, a stronger pension, civil-rights protections and safer workloads.
Background and Context
Contracts for dozens of hotels covering roughly 7,000 workers expired on August 31. Union members voted in September to authorize a strike, with 85 % supporting the action. The dispute follows a four-month bargaining effort and echoes a 2018 strike that involved more than two dozen hotels. Union leaders warn the walkout could expand to all 46 hotels in the city, potentially becoming the largest hotel-worker strike in Chicago history.
Key Figures
- Karen Kent – President, UNITE HERE Local 1.
- Juana Sanchez – Housekeeper at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.
- Martese Kennedy – House attendant at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.
- Marriott International – Owner of the Sheraton Grand and the two Westin properties.
- Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association – Industry trade group representing Chicago hotels.
Data and Statistics
- The contract fight covers more than 7,000 workers at 46 hotels.
- A 2025 UNITE HERE Local 1 survey found 32 % of workers lacked enough money for rent or mortgage payments and 29 % could not cover utility bills.
- Union officials note that Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt returned $22.3 billion to shareholders over the past three years.
- The 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will host more than 55,000 participants, with about 75 % traveling from out of state.
Official Statements & Responses
Union representatives emphasize that the hospitality industry’s surge during marathon weekend has not translated into financial security for frontline staff, and they stress the urgency of a new contract.
On-the-Ground Reports
Workers on the picket line described overwhelming workloads and dwindling staffing levels. One housekeeper noted that her shift schedule had dropped from 118 employees to 92, intensifying physical strain. Another employee said she owes over $40,000 and struggles to find time for her children after long shifts. A dishwasher of 25 years highlighted the importance of preserving health insurance for her family, noting her current wage of $26.50 per hour. Participants expressed solidarity with marathon runners, apologizing for any inconvenience while insisting that fair wages are essential for their families.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No definitive data on guest experiences or hotel occupancy during the walkout has been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We're still far from reaching an agreement and workers are in a desperate situation,” — Karen Kent
- “If these companies can afford billions for shareholders, they can afford fair wages for workers,” — Karen Kent
- “When I started, I was 118 on the schedule, now we only got 92 ladies working,” — Juana Sanchez
- “Without us the hotel would not run, without us nobody would come to the Sheraton hotel, without us the hotel won’t get cleaned, without us the hotel would not function at all,” — Martese Kennedy
What’s Next
UNITE HERE Local 1 has indicated that additional negotiations are scheduled and that the union is prepared to expand the walkout to other properties if a fair contract is not reached. Hotel operators have reiterated willingness to meet with union negotiators, but no specific timeline for a new agreement has been announced.