Posts tagged UNITE HERE Local 23
Hilton-Americas Houston strike ends as workers secure $20 minimum wage, improved conditions
October 14, 2025 // Unite Here Local 23 members at Hilton-Americas Houston have voted to ratify a new contract, ending a 40-day strike and winning higher wages. Housekeepers, laundry attendants and stewards secured $20-an-hour minimum wage with guaranteed wage increases to eventually bring that number up to $22 an hour by the end of the contract, according to a Oct. 10 news release.
Houston convention center workers to vote on joining strike for $23 wage
September 25, 2025 // The expected vote comes as the ongoing strike at the neighboring Hilton Americas-Houston stretches into its third week, and as city leaders plan for a $2 billion expansion of the convention center by 2028. Both facilities are owned by Houston First Corporation, the quasi-governmental entity that serves as the city's marketing arm. Houston First Corp. did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Union leaders said GRB workers have been inspired by the Hilton hotel workers' strike and are planning to advance the same $23 minimum wage demand. The lowest-paid convention center workers earn $16 an hour, more than double the state's minimum wage of $7.25, but still below some estimates for Houston's living wage.
‘We ain’t going away’: Hilton hotel workers extend strike again in wage push
September 21, 2025 // Unionized workers at the Hilton Americas-Houston will extend their strike by another three weeks, buoyed by political support and grassroots donations in their push for a $23 minimum wage. The strike at one of the city’s largest hotels began on Labor Day and was originally set to last 10 days, but workers extended it through Sept. 20 after negotiations stalled. The latest extension slates an Oct. 12 end date, which would bring the strike to a total of 42 days.
As House dining shake-up nears, food workers take fight to court
July 29, 2025 // They allege FCW Investments LLC, which will run a Jimmy John’s in the Rayburn Building, and Elite Management Group, which will operate a Starbucks out of the former Dunkin’ in the Longworth Building, are failing to comply with a local law that protects some workers from displacement when contracts change hands. “The simple fact is every one of these contractors should be offering existing employees their jobs,” said Jesse Seitel, an organizing director at Unite Here Local 23, the House food service workers’ union. “We hope that these companies come to their senses.” On their boycott list are Starbucks, Jimmy John’s, PX Tacos, Java House, CHA Street Food and Black Crown Collective, all of which are set to open on the Hill in the coming weeks.
House cafeteria workers eyeing pickets, walkouts if contract talks sour
February 22, 2023 // The collective bargaining agreement for the House’s 35 caterers expired at the end of the year, while the contract for 120 dining services workers ends in May. While the two sides are talking, the terms of the old contracts will continue to apply. The House workers in Unite Here Local 23 basically want the same deal that their colleagues in the Senate got last year, which boils down to a demand for higher wages. Their current contracts set the lowest starting wage at $13.85 per hour; the union wants that minimum raised to $20. Sodexo runs 10 House dining facilities, including the Capitol Market in the basement, the Longworth and Rayburn office cafeterias, and branded shops like the Au Bon Pain in Cannon. Sodexo’s contract with the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer is up for renewal in 2025, when the CAO could either terminate the deal, renegotiate or exercise a six-year extension option.
College cafeteria workers organize with support from Catholic Labor Network
October 25, 2022 // On behalf of workers at Loyola, Unite Here has asked Sodexo to enter into a card check neutrality agreement; if accepted, the company would pledge to recognize the union automatically if a certain number of signed union authorization cards are collected. The letter to Sodexo prepared by the Catholic Labor Network and the Interreligious Network for Worker Solidarity affirms it is up to workers, not their employer, to make decisions around union membership. "We call on Sodexo to treat workers with the dignity they deserve," it reads. Fr. Ty Hullinger, a pastor in Baltimore, signed the letter and attended the September listening session organized by the Catholic Labor Network. Ignatian Solidarity Network, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development
After Unionizing And Picketing, Senate Cafeteria Workers Secure $20 Minimum Wage And Benefits
October 24, 2022 // Cafeteria workers at the U.S. Senate have ratified their first contract, securing a $20 per hour minimum wage and benefits like pension contributions and affordable platinum-level health insurance with coverage for family members. The workers are organized with UNITE HERE Local 23. The union’s contract with the workers’ employer, Restaurant Associates, went into effect Tuesday and will remain in effect until Sept. 30, 2026.
Sodexo workers from 2 airlines at Austin airport plan to unionize
October 12, 2022 // “We’re excited to see Sodexo workers at the Austin airport stand up for themselves and we support their call for a fair process to decide on a union,” UNITE HERE Local 23 organizer Aileen Bazan said in the release. “Hospitality workers in Texas know there’s no better time than now to demand respect for the work we do.” UNITE HERE said it represents other food service workers at AUS from HMS Host, Delaware North and LSG Sky Chefs. The group’s union workers receive regular wage increases, affordable healthcare and other benefits with their union contract, the group said.
For Whom Does the Union Speak?
May 24, 2022 //