Seattle mayor, King County executive join striking workers at Embassy Suites

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay have joined striking workers at the Embassy Suites in Pioneer Square.

“To honor the struggle of working people, local elected leaders are joining strikers at the Embassy Suites by Hilton,” a media advisory stated.

It would not be the first time Wilson has walked a picket line. As mayor-elect in November 2025, she joined Starbucks workers rallying during an unfair labor practice strike on Red Cup Day.

Embassy Suites strike now the longest hotel strike in Washington history

Hotel employees have been on strike since June 18, making it the longest hotel strike in Washington history. The 117 front desk, housekeeping, and food and beverage workers are represented by UNITE HERE Local 8, according to NW Labor Press.

They’re seeking higher wages, year-round health care coverage, and pre-pandemic staffing levels. Workers are also demanding the hotel notify them when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents or other Department of Homeland Security personnel are on property — a request management previously rejected, Hotel Dive reported.

The two sides remain far apart on wages. The union is proposing $3-per-hour raises in each of the next two years. Hilton has countered with $5.35 per hour spread over five years, and only for non-tipped workers, according to NW Labor.

The strike has drawn broad union solidarity. More than 100 unionists from other area unions, including UFCW Local 3000, SEIU, the Amalgamated Transit Union, the Seattle Education Association, and AFSCME, joined the Embassy Suites picket line on Aug. 20, The Militant reported.

The Seattle City Council proclaimed July 21, 2026, as “Hotel Worker Day” in support of the striking workers, according to the Seattle City Council’s Facebook page.

A spokesperson for Hilton, which owns the hotel, said the company respects the rights of team members to express their views. They added that Hilton is committed to negotiating in good faith and reaching a reasonable agreement that benefits workers and the hotel.

This is a developing story, check back for updates