Hotel Workers Launch Boycott of Aimbridge Hospitality, Owner of Hilton Pasadena

UNITE HERE Local 11 members announced a boycott of Aimbridge Hospitality last week, the largest third-party hotel operator in the world, until the company agrees to sign a fair contract at all of its union properties.

The boycott calls for tourists and visitors to choose alternatives for any travel and events at the Aimbridge hotels including the Hilton Pasadena.

“Aimbridge Hospitality has not only refused to listen to its workers, but it has met them with contempt and greed,” said Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11. “By boycotting Aimbridge properties, travelers and tourists to Southern California have an opportunity to stand against corporate injustice and support workers who are fighting for a dignified way of life.”

The boycott and escalated actions at Aimbridge-operated hotels follow 29 tentative contract agreements reached between hotels and their workers.

Aimbridge has been embroiled in controversy since the beginning of the Southern California hotel strike.

Cooks, room attendants and other workers at the Hilton Pasadena and Hyatt Place Pasadena hotels walked off the job before the Rose Parade.

At that time, a representative for Aimbridge Hospitality said, “We are continuing conversations with the union and remain focused on reaching an agreement that puts our associates and their best interests at the center.”

The union has also filed federal unfair labor practice charges against Aimbridge at two hotel properties alleging that managers unlawfully interfered with the rights of employees to engage in union or other protected activity. The charges are pending investigation by the National Labor Relations Board. Meanwhile, the California Labor Commissioner and Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon are investigating allegations of the exploitation of unhoused migrant workers at Aimbridge properties.