WASHINGTON — Good news for anyone who works in a D.C. hotel: You could soon see a big bump in your pay.
On Thursday, hotel workers at over 20 D.C. hotels voted to approve a new four-year contract that includes historic raises of over 25% and more benefits and workplace protections. The agreement was reached between the union, UNITE HERE Local 25, and representatives from the hotels overnight. It comes months ahead of the current contract's expiration on September 15th.
Here are the contract highlights:
- $7 per hour raise, with a $3 raise in the first year of the contract for non-tipped workers.
- Employers will make additional contributions to the pension, which will increase its payout when members retire.
- Preserved free health care for members.
- Preserved language around job combinations, weekends, and room cleaning, which maintain pre-pandemic practices in unionized D.C. hotels that much of the industry nationwide has since abandoned.
The new four-year contract will take effect Sept. 16.
“This contract is a game changer, plain and simple,” said Local 25 Executive Secretary-Treasurer and chief negotiator, Paul Schwalb. “Our members made tremendous sacrifices during the pandemic before returning to work and bringing the industry roaring back. They have earned every penny of this contract, which will help them keep up with the D.C. area’s cost of living during their working years and into retirement.”
Contract bargaining began back in March. The agreement helps avoid a strike.
“Everything in this new contract means so much to me,” said Sarayia Johnson, housekeeper at Marriott Marquis. “I love coming to work, I love the people, I love taking care of guests. But I have bills I need to take care of and food I need to put on the table. We needed more money, and I’m so proud we were able to win these raises.”
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