Union workers at Hilton Americas-Houston, the city’s largest hotel by rooms, will hold a vote on Wednesday, Aug. 13, to authorize a strike amid their fight for a higher minimum wage, hospitality union Unite Here Local 23 announced. The union represents more than 400 workers at the hotel, including housekeepers, cooks, laundry attendants, and banquet servers. The vote will take place at the Embassy Suites Houston Downtown. If the workers vote yes, a strike could be called at any time. Employees have been advocating to raise their minimum wage to at least $23 an hour to keep up with rising living costs in Houston. This comes after union workers picketed the hotel last month — the first time in its history. Unite Here expects a majority yes vote, noting that negotiations with Hilton are ongoing but workers have made it clear they cannot afford to wait for fair wages and respect. The strike vote follows a broader initiative launched in April by Unite Here Local 23 to advocate for a $23 minimum wage across several hospitality sites in Houston, including Marriott Marquis, the George R. Brown Convention Center, and the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Workers at these locations report struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, despite Houston breaking records in hotel revenue — which increased 15.5% year over year to $3 billion in 2024. Workers from Marriott Marquis will join Hilton Americas-Houston employees in the vote, with Caraballo stating that the Marriott workers have walked the line in solidarity. Unite Here Local 23 represents approximately 3,000 hospitality workers in Houston. Nationally, hotels are projected to pay employees a record $128.47 billion in wages, salaries, and other compensation in 2025, up from $125.79 billion in 2024, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

Union workers at Houston’s largest hotel to hold strike vote

Union workers at Hilton Americas-Houston, the city’s largest hotel by rooms, will vote on August 13 to authorize a strike over demands for a minimum wage of $23 per hour. The vote is being conducted by Unite Here Local 23, which represents over 400 employees including housekeepers, cooks, laundry attendants, and banquet servers. The strike vote follows a broader campaign launched in April to push for a $23 minimum wage across multiple Houston hospitality sites, including Marriott Marquis, George R. Brown Convention Center, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Workers argue that rising living costs have outpaced their wages despite a 15.5% year-over-year increase in hotel revenue to $3 billion in 2024. Unite Here Local 23 represents approximately 3,000 hospitality workers in Houston, and the union expects a majority 'yes' vote. Workers from Marriott Marquis are participating in solidarity with Hilton employees.