Chicago

Chicago Hotel Workers March in Chicago as Strike Continues

Thursday marks one week of Chicago's first-ever citywide hotel strike

Hotel workers on strike across downtown Chicago this week marched in the city as the first-ever citywide hotel strike continues. 

Hundreds of workers were seen gathering outside the Sheraton Hotel Thursday afternoon before they began a march on the Michigan Avenue sidewalk toward Oak Street. 

Thursday marks one week of their strike, which has impacted more than two dozen hotels around the city. The 26th hotel to be affected by the strike in Chicago was the Cambria Hotel in Streeterville Tuesday. 

Workers were heard chanting "shut it down" as they marched through the highly trafficked area along the Magnificent Mile. 

While some hotels say it has been business as usual, some guests say it simply isn’t.

Thousands of hotel workers under UNITE HERE Local 1 continue walked off the job until their union and employers agree on year-round health care for workers who are temporarily laid off during the slow winter months.

"Just because you don’t have a job, you don’t get sick," hotel worker Javier Delarosa said.

While housekeepers, doormen, bartenders and others march outside— the positions must be filled by managers and other staff at some of the biggest hotels in Chicago.

One hotel guest complained on Twitter of a dirty bathtub and improperly stocked bathroom, along with delayed room service.

Guy Claveloux is in from New York on business and staying at Hilton’s Palmer House in the Loop. He says his job warned him ahead of time.

"There are a couple of things that are different, I come here at least six times a year, they have a little bit of a unique setup to get extra towels or there may not be room service," he said.

Joe Moorman is also a Palmer House guest.

"Anytime there’s replacement workers, you do worry about service, but at the same time the (International Manufacturing Technology Show) show is in town and I have to be here so, I don’t have a choice," Moorman said.

Three of the largest hotel chains in Chicago reacted to the strike Tuesday. 

Hilton said managers from around the country are filling in— along with union members who are choosing to return to work.

Hyatt’s vice president of labor relations says many colleagues are working and Hyatt continues operations.

Marriott International said it has contingency plans in place.

"I hope my customers put their shoes on my feet to see how they feel when they work for a company that doesn’t provide the medical coverage for their family," hotel worker Samuel Yolo said.

The union did not respond to NBC 5's request for comment on how the negotiations were going as of Tuesday evening.

All that is known is the negotiations continue--and so will this strike until both sides come to an agreement.

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