Sheraton Philadelphia Hotel Workers Vote to Strike for Better Conditions

Philadelphia, September 23, 2025

News Summary

Hotel workers at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike in pursuit of improved wages and benefits. Represented by Unite Here Local 274, the employees are seeking significant improvements in wages, healthcare for dependents, worker pensions, and staffing enhancements. With contracts recently expired and discussions ongoing, a strike could potentially be called soon as the industry gears up for increased visitor influx in the coming years. The union represents a crucial workforce in a sector still recovering from the pandemic’s effects.

Philadelphia – Hotel workers at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike if called by their union, as they seek better wages and benefits in ongoing contract negotiations. In a recent strike authorization vote, 128 employees supported the decision to strike, while only 3 voted against it.

The employees are represented by Unite Here Local 274, which includes approximately 150 workers at the Sheraton and is part of a broader group negotiating for improved compensation across roughly 1,000 members in eight hotels in Philadelphia. The contracts for these employees expired last year, though some agreements have been extended recently. Negotiations have been ongoing since spring between the union and hospitality management companies.

Local 274 President, Rosslyn Wuchinich, noted that a strike could potentially be called as soon as this week. The workers are advocating for significant improvements in various areas, including wages, healthcare benefits for dependents, worker pensions, and enhanced staffing across hotels. This vote may mark the beginning of multiple strike authorization votes planned at other Philadelphia hotels.

Aimbridge Hospitality, the employer at Sheraton, has not responded to the union’s demands or requests for comment regarding the situation. A bargaining session has been scheduled for Thursday between the union and Aimbridge to discuss the employees’ demands further. Wuchinich stated that at this stage, “every option is on the table,” which implies the possibility of strikes at multiple hotels.

Workers are particularly motivated as Philadelphia prepares for an influx of visitors in 2026 for significant events such as the country’s Semiquincentennial. The unionized workers represent various roles including room attendants, cooks, servers, bartenders, dishwashers, and banquet staff across several hotels in the Philadelphia area.

The union has expressed that strikes represent a considerable sacrifice by workers who are determined to obtain the necessary conditions and compensation they deserve. It has been reported that Aimbridge has not yet presented offers that sufficiently meet the needs of the workers, further fueling the push for better treatment and recognition as essential employees, particularly those from marginalized communities.

The challenge for the hospitality sector in Philadelphia is significant; the industry faced devastating impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the permanent closure of many restaurants and a struggle for remaining businesses to find and retain staff. This context emphasizes the importance of fair treatment for workers who continue to provide services in a recovering industry.

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Overview of Sheraton Philadelphia Hotel Workers’ Situation

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Philadelphia Hotel Workers Rally for New Contracts

Additional Resources

• Philadelphia Inquirer: Hotel Workers Vote to Strike
• Wikipedia: Philadelphia
• CBS News: District Council 33 Strike Negotiations
• Google Search: District Council 33 Strike
• Philly Voice: Wyndham Hotel Workers Authorize Strike
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Hotel
• Metro Philadelphia: District Council 33 Potential Strike
• Google News: Philadelphia Hotel Workers Strike
• Fox29: List of Hotel Strikes across the US
• Google Search: Hotel Union Negotiations

Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER

PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.