SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — UNITE HERE Local 30 reached a tentative agreement on Wednesday night with the Hilton Bayfront San Diego.
Union leadership paused the strike after the tentative deal was reached. The agreement still must be ratified by the membership of UNITE HERE Local 30 before it becomes final.
“This tentative agreement addresses the many issues our hotel workers are experiencing in this tough economic environment,” said Brigette Browning, president of UNITE HERE Local 30. “The economy cannot truly recover from the pandemic by leaving behind residents who work in the hospitality industry, and now these hardworking San Diegans have a fighting chance to succeed.”
“We did not want to strike during this important week for San Diego tourism, but it’s clear this is what it took to get the wages and benefits these workers deserve,” she added. “We want to thank Mayor Gloria, County Supervisor Vice Chair Vargas, City Council President Elo-Rivera, Councilmembers Campillo, Von Wilpert and Whitburn, our sister organizations fighting for working families, and all the civic leaders and San Diegans who supported the workers on the picket line and on social media.”
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Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel workers went on strike Wednesday morning, just a day before the start of Comic-Con’s preview night.
UNITE HERE Local 30 announced their decision on Twitter late Tuesday, after bargaining talks failed and an agreement could not be reached.
The hotel is located across the street from the convention center.
“We can’t allow hotel workers to continue suffering in a billion dollar industry,” said Brigette Browning, president of UNITE HERE Local 30. “These workers are ready to fight for what they deserve.”
The union said they were seeking a $6 per hour raise that would phase in over two years. In formal talks Tuesday, workers came down to $4 over two years, but the hotel responded with $2.50 over 18 months while insisting on continuing its pandemic-era policy of not having housekeepers clean rooms daily.
UNITE HERE Local 30 said they sought to continue negotiations throughout the night, but their offer was rebuffed after the hotel’s negotiator left at 10 p.m. The union said workers have been negotiating for a wage increase and other benefits, but up until this week management had offered only a 50 cent raise.
The union’s members voted last Friday night to authorize its leadership to call a strike if necessary.
A spokesperson for Hilton sent CBS 8 the following statement:
“Hilton San Diego Bayfront is currently in negotiations with UNITE HERE Local 30, which represents some of our Team Members, for a new collective bargaining agreement. We are continuing to welcome guests and have contingency plans in place to ensure operations run as smoothly as possible. We are confident that the hotel and the union will reach a fair agreement that is beneficial to both our valued Team Members and to our hotel.”
Last week, Mayor Todd Gloria took part in a news conference with the hotel workers, urging the Hilton to reach a fair contract agreement. A spokesperson for the mayor's office released the following statement Wednesday afternoon.
"I have personally been in communication with the management at Hilton urging them to come to a fair compromise on wages and working conditions as they return to pre-pandemic revenues at the hotel. I have pushed for productive negotiations between the two parties throughout this process and I will continue to until this is resolved. I am optimistic an agreement can be reached soon to get these essential workers back on the job."
WATCH RELATED: WATCH: Downtown San Diego gets ready for Comic-Con 2022 (July 19, 2022)