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A 45-day Boston strike in the hotels, the first in the city's history, is over after the overwhelming approval of a new contract by union members, which will allow workers to seven Marriott hotels in the city to benefit from better wages and let.
"We have been able to accept the richest economic program in hotel history," said Brian Lang, president of UNITE HERE Local 26, which represents hospitality workers in Boston. "At the end of the day, Marriott stepped up its efforts. They have achieved all our goals, they have set a new standard for hospitality workers in this city and we expect the rest of the hotel's employers to do exactly the same thing. "
Lang refused to share all the details of the new contract, citing ongoing strikes in other cities, but said that the union had achieved all its goals with the new contract, and that it would have been accepted it was proposed before the strike.
Under the new contract, domestics, who were earning $ 21.50 an hour, would receive between $ 26 and $ 27 at the hour, and all employees would benefit from a fully paid parental leave and more. 39, an improved pension. Workers who become citizens will also have a paid holiday the day they become citizens. Union members approved contract 677-9. Workers will come back Wednesday, Lang said.
"I feel good, we worked so hard," said Alice Alfonseca, a banquet waitress at the Westin Copley, who said she had been picketing from 7 am to 7 pm. several days. "It was worth it to do it. We have earned respect. "
Hotel workers began striking in early October after months of contract negotiations with Marriott. The union called for higher wages and better health care, saying many of their members are forced to work a second job to be able to live in the city where they work.
For weeks, striking workers have been picketing at seven Marriott-owned hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton Boston, the Sheraton Boston and the W Hotel Boston. The union says the new contract will cover 5,000 workers.
Marriott downplayed the impact of the strike, saying a teleconference earlier this month would have minimal financial impact.
"We do not expect the strikes to have a significant impact on our fourth quarter results," said Marriott general manager Arne M. Sorenson.
Some local Marriott owners, however, said the impact would be significant. The owners of the Westin Waterfront, in the Seaport District, said earlier this month that a strike that would have lasted until the end of the fourth quarter of the year would likely cost $ 2 million. dollars to society.
The seven Boston Marriott hotels have experienced several notorious cancellations since the start of the strike, including Governor Charlie Baker's election night originally scheduled for the Sheraton. The We Are Boston Gala, an event honoring Boston's immigrants, was transferred from The Westin.
Boston is one of seven cities that have experienced a strike at Marriott. The unions in San Diego, San Jose, Oakland and Detroit have already reached agreements, while unions in San Francisco and Hawaii continue to strike.
In a statement, Marriott confirmed the agreement.
"We look forward to welcoming our associates to work," said a spokesperson.
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