October 10, 2026 — Hotel workers walked off the job at six downtown Chicago hotels on Friday, October 9, two days before the Chicago Marathon. The hotels carry Marriott, Hilton and Millennium flags, and the union says more properties could be struck at any time.
The strike was called by UNITE HERE Local 1 after about four months of contract talks. The union told Hotel Dive that “hundreds” of workers are out, including room attendants, cooks, dishwashers, bellmen, front desk agents, servers and bartenders. Skift reports that most workers at the affected hotels are still on the job.
Marriott and Hilton told Skift their hotels plan to keep operating. Marriott told ABC7 Chicago and Axios that its hotels have established protocols to look after guests if staffing is affected and that it expects to welcome guests this weekend. None of the reports give an end date for the walkout.
Hotels on strike
| Hotel | Brand family |
|---|---|
| Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel | Hilton |
| Waldorf Astoria Chicago | Hilton |
| Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk | Marriott |
| The Westin Chicago River North | Marriott |
| The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago | Marriott |
| Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker Chicago | Millennium |
What is behind it
- Contracts expired August 31. The dispute covers more than 7,000 workers at 46 Chicago hotels. In September, 85% of voting members authorized a strike.
- The walkout is narrower than the vote allowed. Six of the 46 hotels were struck. Skift reports the union has warned that the other 40 could follow, and that no Hyatt hotel is on the first list.
- Union demands. Higher wages, health care, a better pension, civil rights protections and safer workloads. Local 1 president Karen Kent told ABC7, “We’re still far from reaching an agreement.”
- Other hotels without a contract. Axios lists the Ritz-Carlton, The Drake, the Magnificent Mile Hilton, Hyatt and Sofitel properties and another Westin among the 46.
- Precedent. Chicago’s last major hotel strike, in 2018, involved 26 hotels and lasted nearly a month, according to Axios.
What it means for airline travelers
- The six hotels are open. Expect picket lines at the entrances. The reports do not describe specific service cuts, but the striking jobs cover housekeeping, kitchens, bell service, front desk and bars, so allow for slower service or reduced restaurant hours.
- Layover and crew-rate stays downtown. If you hold a booking at one of the six, call the hotel before you fly in from O’Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW) and ask what is operating. Check your rate’s cancellation terms before you move; none of the sources report special waivers.
- The list can grow without notice. The union says it can strike additional hotels at any moment. If you are booking Chicago for the next few weeks, a refundable rate keeps your options open.
- This weekend is tight. The marathon is Sunday, October 11, and tens of thousands of visitors are in town, so alternatives downtown are limited for standby travelers arriving without a room.
- Travel-industry rates. None of the sources say whether discounted industry or employee rates are affected.
Sources
- Hotel Dive — ‘Hundreds’ of union workers at 6 Chicago hotels strike
- Skift — Chicago Hotel Strike Hits Marriott and Hilton Hotels During Marathon Weekend
- ABC7 Chicago — Workers at downtown hotels go on strike ahead of Chicago Marathon
- Axios Chicago — Chicago hotel workers go on strike ahead of Marathon weekend
- NBC Chicago — Hotel workers from 6 major Chicago hotels go on strike as thousands arrive for Chicago Marathon weekend
- Chicago Sun-Times — Hotel workers strike ahead of Chicago marathon, seek better pay and benefits
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