42-day Houston hotel strike slated to end Sunday. It's an unprecedented labor action -- in more ways than one

[Omaha Steve]

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/business/2025/10/09/532986/42-day-houston-hotel-strike-slated-to-end-sunday-its-an-unprecedented-labor-action-in-more-ways-than-one/

Striking workers at the Hilton Houston-Americas hotel are seeking a 40% raise. The demand comes as the hotel breaks revenue records. The 42-day strike is unusual.

Dominic Anthony Walsh / Sydney Jackson | Posted on October 9, 2025, 10:41 AM (Last Updated: October 9, 2025, 12:10 PM)

On a windy Friday evening, more than 20 people picketed outside the 24-story Hilton Americas-Houston, next to the sprawling George R. Brown Convention Center. The striking workers have a shared economic grievance.

"We gotta live paycheck to paycheck. It’s not enough for us to cover our bills," Aylin Alvarez, a housekeeper, said.

"Because Hilton is only paying us $16.50 an hour — so not enough to keep up with [the] cost of living and, you know, rent, bills," added Bill Guillen, a PBX telephone operator.

They said the $23 hourly wage the 400 striking union members are asking for would change their lives.

FULL story at link above.


Kyle McClenagan/Houston Public Media
Workers picket outside of the Hilton Americas-Houston to demand higher wages on Sept. 2, 2025.