Labor rallies for striking hotel workers

“Workers need wages and benefits that allow them to survive in Seattle,” said UNITE HERE Local 8 president Anita Seth

SEATTLE, WA (August 24, 2026) — Union members from across Seattle joined hotel workers on the strike line in front of Embassy Suites in Pioneer Square on Thursday, a demonstration of solidarity as the workers’ strike hit the two month mark.

“Striking workers are resolved because their demands are reasonable, said UNITE HERE Local 8 president Anita Seth at the rally. “Workers need wages and benefits that allow them to survive in Seattle while providing hospitality to visitors to our city. The cost of providing those is now much less than the hotel has lost by ignoring the needs of their dedicated staff. It makes no business sense.”

Striking hotel workers walk the line with supporters on Thursday. Photo: The STAND

Workers reiterated their demands for a fair contract at Thursday’s rally and shared how management has so far failed to fairly negotiate. Per workers, management has barely made any movement on wages, offering only an additional five cents. Striking workers also shared that management had refused to rehire security personnel before the strike, leaving workers without protection even during overnight shifts; workers were quick to note that once the strike started in June, management suddenly found the funds to hire security at the hotel.

And management continues to fight one of the workers’ core contract priorities: notification when federal immigration authorities are on the property and the ability to stay home if that presence endangers workers’ safety. For a primarily immigrant workforce, this is a crucial protection as ICE continues to racially profile, act violently, and arrest immigrants with legal status to live and work in the U.S.

Striking workers were joined by local members from more than a dozen unions and labor organizations, including the Amalgamated Transit Union, APALA Seattle, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, National Association of Letter Carriers, OPEIU Local 8, Seattle Education Association, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, UFCW 3000, and WFSE, as well as staff from MLK Labor and the Washington State Labor Council.

Elected officials also stood with the workers, including Seattle State Reps. Emily Alvarado, Nicole Macri, and Brianna Thomas; State Senators Jamie Pedersen and Rebecca Saldaña; and Seattle City Councilmembers Eddie Lin and Alexis Mercedes Rinck.

Supporters can donate to the workers strike fund and join them on the picket line from 7:00 a.m. t0 12:00 p.m. daily at 255 South King Street, Seattle.