Workers strike at major Southern California hotels over pay and benefits
Workers are picketing major Southern California hotels after walking off the job during the holiday weekend to demand better pay and benefits LOS ANGELES -- Workers picketed major Southern California hotels again Monday after walking off the job during the July Fourth weekend to demand better pay and benefits. The strike by bellhops, front desk agents, room attendants, cooks, servers and dishwashers began early Sunday in Los Angeles and Orange counties just as summer tourism ramps up. Employers accused the union of failing to negotiate. Members of Unite Here Local 11 voted last month in favor of authorizing the strike. In addition to higher wages, the union wants improved health care benefits, higher pension contributions and less strenuous workloads. Contracts expired at midnight Friday at more than 60 hotels , including properties owned by major chains such as Marriott and Hilton. The strike affects about half of the 32,000 hospitality workers the union represents across Southern C...