The Retire Advocate
October
2026
Strikes Get the Goods
Embassy Suites Workers Win After 85 Day Strike
Mike Andrew
Unionized workers at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle DowntownPioneer Square reached an agreement with their employer on September 11, putting a successful conclusion to their 85-day strike, the longest hotel strike in Washington State history.
The new union contract was ratified the same evening, according to Unite Here Local 8, the union that represents Embassy Suites workers and about 7,000 people in Washington and Oregon’s hospitality industries.
The hotel’s 115 workers had been picketing since June 18, the height of the FIFA Men’s World Cup. The hotel is located at 255 S King Street, next to Seattle’s King Street Station and close to Lumen Field.
Employees pressed the company for a new contract with raises, year-round healthcare coverage, a return to higher staffing levels from the pre-pandemic era and protections from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Embassy Suites workers scored significant gains in several areas:
Wages: Housekeepers will earn $31.03/hour starting Jan. 1, 2027, a 6.9% raise in the first year and a total 23.3% increase over the four year term. And as of January 1, the hotel’s housekeepers will be the highest-paid union housekeepers in Washington, the union said.
Tipped workers: $1 per hour above Seattle’s minimum wage, which is $21.30 in 2026.
Healthcare: Year round coverage for employees working at least 1,250 hours annually. Previously, many workers lost their health coverage when they were laid off during the slack winter months.
Workload protections: Reduced workloads for housekeepers; front desk agents gain the right to file grievances over workload issues.
Immigrant worker rights: Eligible workers can return to their jobs with seniority intact for up to two years after resolving work permit issues.
“During the 85 days of this historic strike, Embassy Suites workers stood up for each other and showed that change is possible,” Stefan Moritz, the union’s secretary-treasurer, said in a statement.
“This contract includes tremendous wins on wages, healthcare, workload, and immigrant rights.”
“It is a victory for all hospitality workers in Seattle.”
And it's another illustration that "when we fight, we win," as the old saying goes.v
Unionized workers at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle DowntownPioneer Square reached an agreement with their employer on September 11, putting a successful conclusion to their 85-day strike, the longest hotel strike in Washington State history.
The new union contract was ratified the same evening, according to Unite Here Local 8, the union that represents Embassy Suites workers and about 7,000 people in Washington and Oregon’s hospitality industries.
The hotel’s 115 workers had been picketing since June 18, the height of the FIFA Men’s World Cup. The hotel is located at 255 S King Street, next to Seattle’s King Street Station and close to Lumen Field.
Employees pressed the company for a new contract with raises, year-round healthcare coverage, a return to higher staffing levels from the pre-pandemic era and protections from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Embassy Suites workers scored significant gains in several areas:
* Wages: Housekeepers will earn $31.03/hour starting Jan. 1, 2027, a 6.9% raise in the first year and a total 23.3% increase over the four year term. And as of January 1, the hotel’s housekeepers will be the highest-paid union housekeepers in Washington, the union said.
* Tipped workers: $1 per hour above Seattle’s minimum wage, which is $21.30 in 2026.
* Healthcare: Year round coverage for employees working at least 1,250 hours annually. Previously, many workers lost their health coverage when they were laid off during the slack winter months.
* Workload protections: Reduced workloads for housekeepers; front desk agents gain the right to file grievances over workload issues.
* Immigrant worker rights: Eligible workers can return to their jobs with seniority intact for up to two years after resolving work permit issues.
“During the 85 days of this historic strike, Embassy Suites workers stood up for each other and showed that change is possible,” Stefan Moritz, the union’s secretary-treasurer, said in a statement.
“This contract includes tremendous wins on wages, healthcare, workload, and immigrant rights.”
“It is a victory for all hospitality workers in Seattle.”
And it's another illustration that "when we fight, we win," as the old saying goes.