Marriott Hotel Workers In Boston Reach Deal To End Strike
BOSTON (CBS) – A hotel worker strike in Boston that's lasted more than six weeks is officially over.
About 1,500 housekeepers, cooks, bartenders, bellmen, dishwashers and food and beverage servers went on strike at seven Marriott-operated hotels back on October 3.
The union representing them, Unite Here Local 26, confirmed Saturday they "reached a tentative agreement" on a new contract. A few hours later, a ratification vote at Hynes Convention Center officially ended the strike by a 677-9 margin.
The deal includes pay raises, maternity and parental leave, and enhanced pensions
"We can confirm we have a tentative agreement. We look forward to welcoming our associates back to work," a Marriott International spokesperson said in an e-mail.
The workers were looking for salaries that don't force them to work more than one job so they can afford rents in Boston and provide for their families.
"You don't see many strikes these days. I think what our members in local 26 showed is that we can take on power and be treated as equals," Union President Brian Lang said.
Worker Kim Marshall was among those celebrating the deal.
"There was times when we felt like we weren't going to get it. And then today is momentous, it's great. We were able to express ourselves, feel value, to get what we wanted," she said.
