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Hospitality workers press city and contractors for living wages, union recognition at council
Summary
UNITE HERE members and hospitality workers at hotels, stadiums and the airport told the council they earn low wages and are organizing for living wages and union representation. Union leaders and workers described inconsistent pay among contractors and urged city support.
Members of UNITE HERE and hospitality workers from hotels, stadiums and Houston’s airport spoke June 24 to press for higher wages, labor protections and support from the City of Houston.
Unite Here leaders said many workers who support Houston’s hospitality economy — hotel housekeepers, stadium food attendants, and airport concession staff — earn low hourly pay and unstable schedules. "They've helped make Houston a global destination and are still living paycheck to paycheck," said Willie Gonzalez, secretary‑treasurer for UNITE HERE Local 23. He told council members he will open a series of negotiations this year with major contractors and concessionaires, including Marriott, Hilton, Aramark, OTG and Levy.
Several workers gave first‑hand accounts. Jordan Ordaneta, a housekeeper at the Marriott Marquis, said she earns $16.50 an hour and struggles to cover her nieces’ care and send money to relatives overseas. At the airport, workers described base wages in the mid‑teens while neighboring concession workers or unionized counterparts can earn materially more; Brad Patriarca, an OTG bartender, said OTG employees have seen little of the pay increases that other concessionaires have given.
Union leaders asked the council to use its leverage over city‑controlled facilities — including Houston First venues and the convention center — to encourage contractors to accept labor peace agreements and recognized bargaining processes. Several council members said they would follow up, connect union leaders to city procurement and Houston First staff, and explore how city policies interact with subcontracted concessionaires.
Workers also described alleged intimidation and terminations tied to organizing activity at some airport concessionaires; union organizers warned that tactics to block organizing can leave workers without timely legal remedies under federal labor law.
Council members acknowledged the sector's role in Houston’s economy and offered to help schedule follow‑up meetings with relevant procurement and venue managers. The council did not take formal binding action at the meeting.
