Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and members of the Commissioners Court publicly commended Unite Here Local 23 on Oct. 16 after union members ended a 40-day strike at the Hilton Americas Houston.

Union leaders said the contract raises minimum base pay for hourly hotel workers from about $16.50 to $20 starting in January, and increases the minimum to $22 by the contract’s 2028 expiration. The contract also keeps current health-care costs stable and contains other worker protections, union leaders told the court.

Judge Hidalgo read a formal recognition applauding the union’s organizing and said the win advances living-wage standards across the region. Several commissioners and court members attended picket lines during the strike, and the court previously passed a resolution supporting the workers.

Union officials framed the contract as a local standard-setting win for hospitality workers and said the negotiated wages are still economically tight for families in Harris County. Court members encouraged continued community support and stressed the county’s broader commitments to living-wage and worker protections.

Ending: The court took no fiscal action related to the contract; the recognition was symbolic and celebrated the outcome of private-sector negotiations.