Edgewater Hotel workers vote by 93% to authorize strike

UPDATE (Sept. 16, 2019) — UNITE HERE Local 8 members at the Edgewater Hotel voted to authorize a strike by a 93% majority. They were surrounded by community and political leaders committed to supporting them.

SEATTLE (Sept. 13, 2019) — Some 200 workers at the Edgewater Hotel who are represented by UNITE HERE Local 8 will be taking a strike authorization vote on Saturday, Sept. 14, the union announced.

Workers at the Edgewater have been in contract negotiations for more than five months. UNITE HERE Local 8 says the workers are asking the luxury hotel and restaurant to match the wages negotiated at the Seattle Westin last year, to make health insurance accessible to workers during the slow season, and to guarantee the security of their jobs in the event of a sale of the hotel to a new owner.

“I have worked as a room and minibar attendant at the Edgewater for four years,” said Edgewater employee Marites Nito. “I love my job, but am unable to earn enough to support my family. I am forced to work long hours at two jobs every week just to survive. One job should be enough for housekeepers at the Edgewater.”

Edgewater workers, who have been unionized for more than 50 years, are among over 1,000 downtown Seattle hotel workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 8. The union represents more than 5,000 members working in the hotel, food service, and airport industries in Washington and Oregon.