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

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

Wilson and Zahilay wanted to honor the struggle of working people, according to a news release from UNITE HERE Local 8.

“This Labor Day, I’m proud to stand with UNITE HERE Local 8 members as they fight for better wages, quality health care, and a better future for their families,” Zahilay said in a statement. “Working people are the backbone of our region, and they deserve to have their voices heard and their work valued. I’m here today to hear their experiences and stand with them.”

‘It’s time to settle this contract’: Wilson calls for end to Embassy Suites strike

Wilson called for a resolution to the Embassy Suites strike.

“Working people in Seattle deserve a real voice in the decisions that shape their lives. Labor Day is a moment to recognize the workers across our city who have organized to win fair pay, safe workplaces, predictable schedules, and the right to speak up on the job,” Wilson said in a statement.

“ UNITE HERE Local 8 hotel workers at Embassy Suites are part of this tradition as they fight for higher wages, year-round healthcare, and immigration protections,” she continued. “It’s time to settle this contract and get these skilled workers back to delivering world-class service to guests from around the globe.”

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. During the World Cup, Embassy Suites rented the Cityscape Penthouse for up to $1,843 a night, according to the news release.

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 Press.

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, as shown on the Seattle City Council’s Facebook page.

Hilton says it is ‘committed to negotiating in good faith

A spokesperson for Hilton, which manages the hotel, said the company respects team members’ rights and is committed to reaching a reasonable agreement.

“We make every effort to maintain a cooperative and productive relationship with the union that represents some of our Team Members at Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square, and we respect the rights of both the union and our Team Members to express their views,” the spokesperson wrote. “We remain committed to negotiating in good faith toward a fair and reasonable agreement that benefits both our valued Team Members and our hotel.”

Since the strike began, the hotel has lost significant business, including a repeat customer worth $18,500 per week to the hotel, according to the news release.

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