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Union updates council: Hilton talks stalled, workers keep pressure as Houston First’s role is questioned
Summary
Unite Here Local 23 representatives updated council on a labor dispute at a downtown Hilton hotel, told council that negotiations had not produced a livable-wage offer, and said Houston First, which owns the hotel property, exerts influence though is not negotiating directly with the union.
Unite Here Local 23 organizer Willie Gonzalez told the City Council on Sept. 17 that negotiations with Hilton have not produced a satisfactory offer for hotel workers and that union pressure will continue.
Gonzalez said the union had engaged Houston First and council members as part of outreach, and that Local 23 had discussed the expansion plan with Council Member Martinez. He said union members had been on strike for 16 days and that “we are not going away.” Gonzalez described Houston First as the ownership entity for the downtown hotel and said that, in practice, owners have decisive leverage over operator negotiations. “Houston First is the owner of this hotel,” he…
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