Workers at a Hampton Inn in Philadelphia have overwhelmingly ratified a new contract that was negotiated after a four-day strike last month. The unionized employees, who were represented by Unite Here Local 274, will see significant wage increases, including immediate raises of at least $3.50 per hour and additional raises over the life of the contract.
The agreement ensures that wages for these workers will be at least 34% higher by the end of 2027 and set to a new "citywide union standard" by the time the current contract expires in January 2028. In addition to wage increases, employees will also receive pension boosts and enhanced protections against sexual harassment from guests.
One of the key provisions of the new contract is that the hotel will cover the cost of workers' health insurance plans managed by the union, a significant improvement over the previous arrangement where workers had to pay for their own plans. Room attendants at the Hampton Inn also saw some welcome changes, with the number of rooms they are required to clean each day reduced under the new contract.
The news comes as the hotel industry is gearing up for a busy year ahead, with major events such as the MLB All-Star Game and FIFA World Cup set to bring in large numbers of tourists. Workers at other Center City hotels that have been working on expiring contracts are reportedly still negotiating their own deals, with some having already authorized strikes.
For those who went on strike last month, it appears that the efforts paid off. "It took us going on strike for four days to show this company what we're worth," room attendant Ella Alexander said in a statement. "We deserve everything in this contract and more." The success of this latest contract is seen as a major victory for workers in the hospitality industry, who have been pushing for better wages, benefits, and working conditions for some time now.
The agreement ensures that wages for these workers will be at least 34% higher by the end of 2027 and set to a new "citywide union standard" by the time the current contract expires in January 2028. In addition to wage increases, employees will also receive pension boosts and enhanced protections against sexual harassment from guests.
One of the key provisions of the new contract is that the hotel will cover the cost of workers' health insurance plans managed by the union, a significant improvement over the previous arrangement where workers had to pay for their own plans. Room attendants at the Hampton Inn also saw some welcome changes, with the number of rooms they are required to clean each day reduced under the new contract.
The news comes as the hotel industry is gearing up for a busy year ahead, with major events such as the MLB All-Star Game and FIFA World Cup set to bring in large numbers of tourists. Workers at other Center City hotels that have been working on expiring contracts are reportedly still negotiating their own deals, with some having already authorized strikes.
For those who went on strike last month, it appears that the efforts paid off. "It took us going on strike for four days to show this company what we're worth," room attendant Ella Alexander said in a statement. "We deserve everything in this contract and more." The success of this latest contract is seen as a major victory for workers in the hospitality industry, who have been pushing for better wages, benefits, and working conditions for some time now.
? And what's up with these wage increases - $3.50 an hour is pretty sweet! 
I mean, I've heard that in some places you can make way more than that just by being a bartender or something... so it's cool to see hotel workers getting some of that action too.
I also like that they got those pension boosts - healthcare can be super expensive, so it's great they're gonna cover those costs. 
Now I'm wondering what other Center City hotels are negotiating their contracts... is this like a national movement or something? 
finally something good happening for these workers 
$3.50 per hour is nothing to sneeze at either 
I'm glad they got a say in their contract too 
shouldn't have to fight that hard for basic human rights 
I'm loving this news! A four-day strike was not an easy feat to achieve, but it's clear that the unionized employees at the Hampton Inn Philadelphia are speaking up and demanding fair treatment from their employer. The new contract is a huge win for workers, with significant wage increases, pension boosts, and improved protections against harassment. It's awesome to see the hotel industry starting to take notice of the value of its most important asset - its employees! 
. How do we know she's not just repeating some talking point from the union reps? I'd need to see some actual footage of her speaking before and after the strike to trust that tone.
They deserve it! $3.50 an hour is like, nothing but a slap in the face right? 
Anyway, it just goes to show that when workers come together and fight for what they deserve, they can actually win something! 
So yeah, these workers totally earned it... let's see some more of this in the hospitality industry!!! 
. It's not just about the money tho, they also got better benefits and protections 
. These workers are setting an example for others in the hospitality industry to follow 
. And can we talk about Ella Alexander's quote? "We deserve everything in this contract and more" is giving me LIFE 
. This is a major victory for workers everywhere! 
gotta give props to Ella Alexander and her squad for going on strike & getting that sweet, sweet contract