What we know so far
Willy Gonzalez, secretary treasurer and primary negotiator of Unite Here Local 23, the union group representing the workers, told City Council during a Sept. 9 public comment session that a majority of the hotel staff have been earning $16.50 an hour for years. He said the staff demands an increase in pay to $23 an hour, as well as fair schedules and workloads.
“These are the workers that came during hurricanes, left their families to take care of first responders in that hotel,” Gonzalez said. “These are the workers who came during the pandemic to welcome the few guests and help the hotel survive. And the way they are being paid back is that they are forced to strike because of the greed of Hilton and Houston First.”
What originally was supposed to be a nine-day strike has turned into 20 days, as it will continue until Sept. 20. Unite Here Local 23 explained in a Sept. 9 news release that the hotel has still not come forward with a proposal that meets the union’s demand.
Gonzalez said some proposals that were given to the union so far included raising the hourly wage to $17.50, followed by a 75-cent increase in January and 50-cent raises every six months.
“Houston First—if it seeks public money and tax money and their revenue—it should be transparent to the public,” Gonzalez said. “It should be able to handle an audit and show this is our books, this is what we’re doing.”
Houston First spokesperson A.J. Mistretta said the organization’s board is governed by members appointed by the mayor and approved by City Council, and includes two ex officio members—council members Joaquin Martinez and Twila Carter.
“We’re proud of the work we do at Houston First to create value for our local community by promoting the region,” a Houston First statement reads. “Additionally, all of our board and committee meetings are open to the public and are posted on our website and through the City of Houston in accordance with rules governing such meetings. We work very closely with the administration, City Council, as well as other elected officials and our broader stakeholder community to maintain open communication on our work.”
Council member Julian Ramirez said he agreed that Houston First should be more transparent.
"A lot of money flows through Houston First, and we tend to think of them as being separate from the city, but really, they are the city," Ramirez said. "It’s just like another department within the city government, and they should be transparent. My understanding is that they meet quarterly. They should be meeting monthly, and minutes should be published promptly."
In their own words
Ivonne Saldana has been working as a barista in the hotel for over a year. Saldana told Community Impact in an interview that her current wage, $16.50 an hour, is not sustainable for her as she has to pay for rent, groceries and her car insurance, which can all cost up to $1,800 a month.
“It’s very hurtful because I have to pay my car late, I have to pay my car insurance late, I can’t pay my rent on time, I have to sacrifice not buying groceries because I have all these other bills I need to pay,” Saldana said. “That has been a really big struggle for me.”
Saldana said all she asks for is better working conditions. Because of her current pay, she also has to work a second job as a bartender.
“We’re not asking to be billionaires or anything like that, we’re asking to be able to take care of our families, to be able to visit our families, to be able to take vacation days off,” she said.
“For a lot of people, $16.50 is a decent wage, but the times say otherwise,” Garcia said. “Just trying to make a change for me and my coworkers as well. Some of them have been here for 20 plus years, just putting in blood, sweat and tears for the hotel. They deserve it.”
A Hilton spokesperson said in a statement that the company is committed to negotiating with the union in good faith to reach a “fair and reasonable agreement that is beneficial to both our valued team members and to the hotel.”
“We respect the unions’ and team members’ right to express their points of view, and Hilton Americas-Houston makes every effort to maintain a cooperative and productive relationship with Unite Here Local 23, a union that represents some of the team members at the hotel,” the spokesperson said.
What City Council members are saying
Mayor John Whitmire said during the Sept. 9 public comment session that he was not familiar with Hilton management, but requested that the union send their proposed contracts to City Council to understand the needs and demands of the hotel workers.
“It does take courage, it’s a hardship and it speaks to your needs to make the sacrifices that you have,” Whitmire said.
District C council member Abbie Kamin expressed her solidarity with the union. She said the workers have been there for Houston and helped shape its city’s economy.
“We hear each and every one of you, and we see each and every one of you,” Kamin said. “All eyes are on Houston right now.”
What else?
The mayor’s State of the City address was scheduled for Sept. 25 at the Hilton Americas-Houston in the grand ballroom. However, Whitmire’s office announced Sept. 11 that the event had been postponed out of respect for the ongoing negotiations.
“I urge both parties to negotiate in good faith and reach a fair, reasonable agreement,” Whitmire said. “Workers are essential to our city, and I will always insist that they be treated with dignity and respect.”
