Hotel Workers Begin Picketing at Two Times Square Hotels
June 29, 2026NEW YORK, NY — Hotel workers at the Fairfield by Marriott New York Manhattan Times Square and the Four Points by Sheraton Midtown - Times Square on West 40th Street are calling for a unfair labor practice boycott and began picketing outside of the Times Square hotels tonight.
The workers voted to become members of the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO (HTC) in October of 2022. Throughout years of negotiations for their first union contract, the union has filed multiple charges accusing the hotel of committing unfair labor practices – including failing to bargain in good faith, discriminating against workers because of their support for the union, encouraging workers to get rid of the union, replacing union positions with subcontracted workers, and more.
“We need the union”
The workers decided to organize with HTC in 2022 because they wanted a living wage, affordable healthcare, safer working conditions, and fair treatment.
Loyal Workforce, Low Pay
The hotel’s long-time workforce earn an average wage of just $20.56 per hour in housekeeping. This is $21.81 less per hour, and nearly $40,000 less per year, than a union housekeeper.
“Management wants to keep the money to themselves while we live in poverty. I’ve worked at the hotel for seven years, and I make $17.82 per hour. After I pay my rent, I’m left with nothing. I can’t sleep at night worrying – what am I going to do? How am I going to eat? We need the union.”
– MARÍA DE LEON, Room Attendant at Fairfield New York Manhattan Times Square
Benefits
Most workers at the hotel have nothing saved for retirement and cannot afford the hotel’s health insurance.
“This year, I am going without health insurance because they raised the rates,” said Cheden Adetsang, a Houseman at the hotel. “I need to take medicine for my diabetes and high blood pressure. I have to pay for the prescriptions out of my own pocket now. It worries me,” Cheden added. “I don’t know what I’d do if there’s an emergency.”
Impossible workload
Workers are suffering under the weight of back-breaking workloads.
What’s happening?
The workers and their union have put up a robust picket line and are encouraging customers to boycott the hotels and cancel their stays until management follows the law and treats these workers fairly.
Mayor Mamdani and His Administration Voices Support for Workers
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani immediately voiced his support for these hotel workers upon news of the picket lines.
"Four years is too long to wait for a fair contract. These workers exercised their fundamental right to organize. They voted for a union. They came to the bargaining table ready to negotiate in good faith. And instead of respecting that decision, management has forced them to file federal charges to secure rights that should never have been in question,” said Mayor Mamdani.
“No one who works full time should have to choose between paying the rent and filling a prescription. No one should spend years serving this city's visitors only to be denied the dignity and respect they have earned. New York City stands proudly with these workers, and this administration will continue to support their fight for a fair contract."
"What's happening at these Times Square hotels is exactly what unfair looks like — workers earning $17 an hour after seven years of loyalty, going without health insurance, handling security incidents they were never trained for, all while management refuses to bargain in good faith. The Mamdani administration stands with HTC and these workers," said Julie Su, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice.
Hotel Guests: Know Your Rights
Picket lines may result in uncertainty for guests and event planners, disruptions, and noise. Under NYC law, hotels are required to notify guests of significant service disruptions, including strikes and picket lines. The law mandates that consumers be permitted to cancel without penalty if notified of such a service disruption after booking.
For more information, visit the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s website.