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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 said in the chamber. He also said the union remained willing to engage in talks and expected more updates in coming days.
Council members asked clarifying questions about the owner/operator roles. Several council members (including Council Member Flickinger and Council Member Castillo) noted that the hotel’s employees are Hilton workers and that the brand/operator negotiates directly with the union while the owner must ultimately approve agreements. Gonzalez and other speakers said the ownership group’s approval is essentially required to finalize terms with the operator; council members said they would seek clarification from Houston First.
Competing statements about offers: During the exchange, council members asked about wage figures. Gonzalez said the official Hilton offer was $17.50 per hour; other council members in the chamber disputed reports that Hilton had offered higher figures (one council member said a $21-per-hour figure had not been presented). Council Member Martinez and others expressed support for the workers and pledged continued engagement with the union and with Houston First.
Why it matters: The dispute affects service-sector workers in downtown hotels; it intersects with the GRB expansion and the city’s relations with Houston First as owner/operator of convention center assets and downtown hotels. The council discussion focused on which party—the operator (Hilton) or the owner (Houston First)—has final authority to approve labor deals and what leverage the city’s municipal partners can bring to bear.
Next steps: Gonzalez said the union will continue public pressure and that new campaign steps would be announced soon. Council members said they would seek more information from Houston First and Hilton about current offers and the owner’s role in approving or signing labor agreements.
Ending: The council did not take formal action on labor negotiations during the Sept. 17 session; members requested follow-up information to clarify Houston First’s contractual role and returned to other business.
