Hilton Americas workers press for $23 wage, urge Houston First audit and public meetings

Hundreds of Hilton Americas employees and supporters urged the Houston City Council on Sept. 9 to press the hotel and Houston First into meaningful contract talks, arguing a profitable convention hotel should pay a living wage and hold the public corporation overseeing the convention district to higher transparency standards.

The workers, represented in remarks to the council by union members and supporters, said many employees are scheduled only four to six hours a day, cannot cover rent and groceries and frequently use vacation or sick time to make up lost income. “We work hard. We’re not asking to get rich. We’re asking to be able to just live and not have to live paycheck to paycheck,” said Kenyatta Otis, identified as a pastry chef at the Hilton Americas.

The union’s stated wage demand is $23 per hour as a bottom rate in year one. “We have asked for a $23 rate,” Willie Gonzalez, an organizing representative for Unite Here Local 23, told the council. Council members and the union negotiator said workers currently earn $16.50 per hour and described a Hilton counteroffer at roughly $17.50 with phased, small increases that the union said was not retroactive to contract expiration.

Why it matters: The Hilton Americas is the city’s flagship convention hotel and receives public support tied to the convention district. Speakers said that if the hotel and Houston First receive public benefit or public dollars, the public and council are entitled to clear accounting, regular public meetings and full meeting minutes. Amy Erickson, a speaker who backed the workers, urged the council to demand the updated convention-district master plan, budget details and accountability from Houston First as the agency pursues a multibillion-dollar expansion and street changes.

Council reaction and requests

Multiple council members expressed sympathy and pledged to press for transparency. “If Houston First is a public entity, it should have regular public meetings,” said Chancellor Ramirez, adding that the board should publish minutes and make meetings readily available on video. Mayor Pro Tem and other members noted that two council members sit on the Houston First board — Council Members Martinez and Carter — and asked the union to share the negotiation proposals with the council to help inform conversations.

Union negotiators and workers described specific contract grievances beyond wages: short shift scheduling, early send‑home practices that reduce hours, alleged retaliatory firings and a workplace complaint about a manager discouraging staff from speaking Spanish. “They are out here because they didn’t even bother to say, ‘I’m sorry. It was a mistake,’ ” the negotiator said, summarizing why employees have struck.

Requests to the council

Speakers asked the council for two sets of remedies: 1) pressure on Hilton to return to the table with a higher wage offer, and 2) a public-accountability program for Houston First, including an independent audit, regular posted meetings with video and more-detailed minutes and backup materials.

What the record shows

Speakers provided multiple personal accounts of reduced hours and financial strain and estimated the current base pay at $16.50 per hour. They said Hilton’s initial bargaining posture included small phased raises and rejected dozens of worker proposals; the union asked the council to require Houston First to provide clear operating documents and budget numbers. Council members requested the union submit the list of proposals for council review and said they would press for improved transparency at Houston First.

Next steps

Council members asked the union to submit negotiation proposals to the council and encouraged Houston First’s board representatives to seek more public disclosure. No formal action, audit vote or ordinance was taken at the Sept. 9 meeting; speakers said further actions would depend on follow-up from Houston First and Hilton.