Workers at dozens of the city’s top hotels voted to authorize a strike if a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached by the end of this month.
The employees will go on strike if a new deal is not struck by Aug. 31, after more than 90 percent Unite Here Local 1 members voted in favor of a potential strike.
Thirty one hotels, most of them located in downtown Chicago, would be affected by the work stoppage. The exact number of hotel employees potentially involved in a strike is still unclear, however, the estimated numbers are close to thousands.
The potential strike comes as the summer travel season winds down, and could deal a significant blow to downtown businesses. In addition to pay, key points in collective bargaining include job security, pensions, year-round health insurance, sick days and overwork.
