NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Workers at Omni New Haven hotel went on strike Thursday, demanding a better contract with better pay.
They said they had talks and negotiations with the hotel since November and haven’t made much progress.
More than 120 workers hit the picket lines at 5 a.m. after walking out on the job, demanding more money and a fair contract.
They are set to continue marching and chanting until midnight. Friday morning, they plan to pick it up again and they say they will continue until an agreement is reached.
Union organizer Isadora Millnaez said, "Primarily what we are asking for as a union is wages that make up for inflation that has sky rocketed in the past few years, as well as affordable insurance that all of our members would be able to get on and a dignified retirement plan for when they have actually left this field."
Workers, including housekeepers, cooks, servers, bartenders, and other hotel staff, are making their presence seen and heard on Temple Street and they are prepared to be here around the clock.
When asked about which issue holds more importance in the negotiations, Carla Vallati, a guest room attendant, said, "I don’t think one holds any more weight than the other in 2024 and the way inflation is I don’t think one holds any more weight than the other."
Omni New Haven hotel staff are unionized with the Local 217-UNITE HERE union, fighting for fairer workloads and more pay to keep up with the cost of living.
Workers argue that staff positions were cut during the pandemic and some haven't been filled, piling up the workload. Some said they have multiple jobs to make ends meet but they said the hotel is profiting and thriving.
“We need this. We are all here together and this shows the support, we are united and we just want a fair contract. It’s not too much to ask for, especially from people who are billionaires,” Bobby May, an employee, said.
Millnaez said that for the most part, members enjoy working for the hotel.
"Primarily workers are really concerned about these economic issues where they have given us a response they are still very far apart from what we think is a fair response," Millnaez said.
They are hopeful a deal will come together soon.
Vallati said, "I am so hopeful, I really am. I want to go back to work, I do like my job I like it a lot."
Until then, they will be outside the hotel marching instead of inside working.
The union organizer said that there have been guests who have arrived for their stay and decided to leave because of what was going on outside the hotel. Whether it's because of the ruckus outside the hotel or in order to support the staff is unclear.
FOX61 asked the hotel for a statement and they said they have no comment at this time.
Lindsey Kane is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at Lkane@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
Alexa Farrell is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at AFarrell@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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