Chicago hotel workers rally on Michigan Avenue, threaten strike after contracts expire

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Union leaders say negotiations have been dragging on for months.

And while workers remain on the job on Tuesday night, they are warning that a strike could be called at any time.

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UNITE HERE Local 1 workers rallied and marched along Michigan Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, passing some of the hotels at the center of the contract dispute and putting their message on full display for the many tourists who walk these blocks.

Contracts covering workers at 46 Chicago hotels expired at midnight Monday. Union leaders say more than 7,000 hotel workers are now working without a contract.

The union says it has been negotiating for roughly three months and is pushing for higher wages, improved healthcare and pension benefits, protections for immigrant workers, and safer workloads. They say big name hotels have "failed" to give workers the wages they need to survive.

"People have had to really struggle. I know a number of folks have had to take out payday loans. They've been struggling with food insecurity. And really struggling to even you know for housing, housing insecure and how they're going to continue to pay their rent and their mortgages," said UNITE HERE Local 1 President Karen Kent.

ABC7 reached out to several hotels where these employees work.

Hyatt responded, saying, in part, "Hyatt has offered competitive wages, and our employee benefits are excellent including no-cost health care. All employees' wages and benefits remain unchanged as we negotiate a new agreement. We look forward to continuing to negotiate fair contracts and recognize the contributions of Hyatt employees."

The last major Chicago hotel strike happened in 2018. Thousands of hotel workers walked off the job, impacting operations at more than two dozen downtown hotels.

A spokesperson with Hyatt added that the hotel has contingency plans in place to minimize the impact on hotel operations. For now, hotel workers remain on the job.

But union leaders say a strike is possible if a deal cannot be reached.