Unionization a growing factor for US hoteliers

Labor unions are experiencing a renaissance in the U.S., a movement that's on the radar of hoteliers

Both the U.S. hotel industry — and the country’s workplaces generally — have seen a significant uptick in unionization in recent years, said Andria Ryan, partner at Fisher Phillips and co-chair of the firm’s hospitality business practice group at the Hospitality Law Conference.

Key takeaways

• The unionization win rate has grown to 80% recently. For decades, employers won over most union elections, but now they have a 20%-win chance;
• A 2023 Gallup poll reflected a 67% approval rating for unions, which was above the five-year average. The percentage of people ages 19 to 35 with a favorable impression of labor unions was over 70%;
• Companies are even seeing unionization in non-traditional ways and areas. The Starbucks Workers Union, for example, has taken the approach of growing one location at a time, growing at about 30 members at a time, and most of the employees are about 19 to 29 years old.

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