Enhanced job security
The 2026 IWA improves protections when an employer wants to introduce new technology or AI, and it goes even further to strengthen immigrants' rights.
NYC hotel workers celebrate historic contract victory!
Summer 2026On May 21, 2026, thousands of NYC hotel workers ratified the new IWA.
WAGES
Our biggest wage increases, ever.
The raises are more than 2.5 times the average increases in the last IWA. Wages for non-tipped workers will increase by $21.20 over the life of the contract, which averages to well over 5% each year.
“When I saw the wage increases, I said: Is this real?
I've been in the union for 31 years. We've never won something like this before. It's unprecedented.
I love this union with everything inside of me. I feel safe.”
– NICOLE AIGORO, Valet Attendant at the New York Hilton
WAGE-RELATED ITEMS
Extra pays negotiated in the IWA, such as extra room pay, cot pay, night shift differential, porterage and group fees, etc., will increase each year of the contract. The increases to wage-related items go up at a significantly higher rate than in previous contracts (because of the dramatic wage increases).
HEALTHCARE
Maintaining free family healthcare
We secured additional healthcare contributions valued at $65 million per year in order to protect and maintain free healthcare for union members and their families for 8 more years.
“For me, healthcare was a big concern because I have a daughter who has a very serious medical concern. I'm in the clinic every month getting her more medication, more medication. So the situation was dire for me. To know that our healthcare is protected...I couldn't ask for more.”
– SKARLY RODRIGUEZ, Front Desk Agent at Westin Grand Central
RETIREMENT
Protecting our pension
Under the new IWA contract, the employer contribution to the Pension Fund will increase by half a percentage point on January 1, 2027. This comes on the heels of a 1 percentage point increase at the start of 2026, bringing the employer contribution to the Pension Fund up to 12% of payroll.
“I was so happy to see we signed the contract. But also in my mind – I was thinking about how difficult it was to get this contract done.”
“I know our benefits are expensive and this was not easy to do.”
– ZIGGY CZAPLICKI, Banquet Server at the New York Hilton
PAID TIME OFF
Juneteenth. Improved bereavement benefits. Fully paid parental leave. And more.
The 2026 IWA makes Juneteenth a new, paid holiday. It provides members with paid time off to vote. It increases paid bereavement leave from 3 to 5 paid days, expands the definition of “immediate family,” and eliminates the previous limitation on taking paid bereavement leave only once per year.
The new IWA also provides fully paid parental leave for new parents who take Paid Family Leave through the State. Weekly bridge payments will make up the difference between the Paid Family Leave benefit and a member's weekly wage so that workers will receive full pay.
“I'm a soon-to-be father. The 100% paid family leave is amazing. I'm going to be able to focus all of my energy on taking care of my child.”
– TARIK DAVIDSON, Houseperson at the Gregorian
ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC BENEFITS
New benefit funds
The 2026 IWA requires employers to begin contributions to new Housing and Child Care Funds during the life of the contract. Over the next few years, these new funds will begin helping members in ways such as finding affordable housing and bringing down child care costs.
UNPARALLELED PROTECTIONS, RIGHTS, AND CONTRACT ENFORCEMENT
Dozens of new rights and protections
More rights on the job
This new agreement includes improvements to the grievance and arbitration language that will make contract enforcement even more effective and give us more power to take on bad actors.
Contract enforcement
The new contract contains over a dozen new rights: Dignity and respect, paid union orientation, employee privacy protections, and more.
I wouldn't be where I'm at without the union, I promise you that. I have so much love for this place.”
“This has changed my world. I had prostate cancer two years ago, and without the union I wouldn't have had the money to support the healthcare.
This contract is the best ever. I mean, I'm shocked and amazed that we were able to get above and beyond what anyone could have thought about, dreamed about.
The determination, the people, the energy, the atmosphere. It's a dream come true.”
– ADAM WESNER, Front Desk Agent at Manhattan at Times Square
“I've been a union member for over 40 years, and a delegate at the Plaza for 25,” said Houseperson Rama Nohar. “This is the best contract we've ever had in my lifetime.” “The medical benefits are the most important thing for me. I had a kidney transplant and have to take medication to this day. I am so happy our healthcare is protected – to not have to worry is a relief.”
“I have three sons, and because of our healthcare I never had to pay a dollar for the hospital.”
“This contract is our future, you know.”
– RAMA NOHAR, Houseperson at the Plaza
“This is the best contract we've ever had. I think everyone in my workplace – and all union hotels – are excited.
I told my wife: “Soon, we're going to become rich!”
By the time we reach the 8th year, we will be making $21.20 more on top of every single hour of work. Six figures – that's what we're going to be making. I have no words other than: I am grateful for our union.”
– OUMAROU DIALLO, Houseperson at the Westin Grand Central
“I was playing tennis when I saw the news about the contract. I was screaming right on the court: 'We made it, we made it!!!”
“I'm a New Yorker, building a family here. Having this amazing union is one of the best things you can have as a New Yorker.”
– MONICA VERGARA, Room Attendant at NYMA
“I'm most excited about the wages. This was the #1 thing for me because the cost of living in New York has increased so, so much.”
“My daughter is 13 and my son is 16. They think the union is magic.”
“I have investment accounts set up for my kids, and now I'm going to be able to set aside some of the wage increase towards these accounts, for their futures.”
– PATRICIA GARCIA, Room Attendant at Pod 51
“When I saw that we won this contract, you know what I thought? Our union is strong. Our union is strong and they got it done. Not only did I get excited, my family got excited. It's a family thing.”
– RAY CINTRON, Bellperson at Manhattan at Times Square
“The best part is our union benefits. A lot of people look for more money, more this, more that – but for me, healthcare is the key.”
– ADAM GARCIA, Bellperson at Manhattan at Times Square
“When I heard the news about our contract, I almost jumped through the roof.”
“The wage increases, protecting our healthcare – it all feels like a dream.”
“When I first started this job in 2007, we weren't part of the union. Looking back at that time, we were all suffering. I was making $13.50 an hour, working two jobs to be able to make my rent. Until we won the union in 2019 – and everything changed. Now to think that under this new contract, we're going to be making more than $60 an hour by 2033...I can't believe it.”
– FAN MOOI DOSHIM, Laundry Attendant at the Greenwich
“Having a union is one of the best things ever. Having the union, I got to stay home with my baby for 7 months. When I had my daughter, I gave birth at Lenox Hill, and I didn't have to pay a dollar because we had the union healthcare. On the wage increases: I'm still in shock. Living in New York is very expensive; rent just keeps getting higher and higher. I feel like I work to pay bills. This increase will give us relief.”
– JULISSA GUZMAN, Room Attendant at Park Hyatt
