Edgewater Hotel workers ratify contract

Edgewater workers’ contract win comes after fellow UNITE HERE members at Seattle-area hotels secured strong contracts in November

SEATTLE, WA (July 15, 2025) — After authorizing a strike and engaging in pickets, workers at the Edgewater Hotel in downtown Seattle have unanimously voted to ratify a contract with strong wages, pension increases, improved leave, and more.

The workers had been trying to negotiate a new contract since last summer, per their union, UNITE HERE local 8. During negotiations, workers shared the need for wages that recognized the high cost of living in the Seattle area, contract language that addressed intense workloads, and better retirement benefits.

Edgewater workers pose for a photo after ratifying their contract. Photo: UNITE HERE Local 8

In March, the workers voted to terminate their previous contract and in May, they voted to authorize a strike, signally their determination to win a contract that justly compensates them and secures functional working conditions.

Now, workers are celebrating a new contract won through months of organizing. The new contract features raises of nine dollars an hour over the contract period and guarantees fair workload protections. It also strengthens the workers’ pension and improves vacation time and holiday benefits.

This contract win at the Edgewater Hotel follows UNITE HERE Local 8-represented workers’ success at hotels in SeaTac last year, where workers won contracts with significant wage increases and improvements to working conditions after striking twice.