New technology, housekeeping among concerns in hotel strikes

BOSTON (AP) — New technology threatening to make some hotel jobs obsolete is among the concerns prompting thousands of Marriott workers to walk off their jobs across the U.S. in recent weeks.

D. Taylor, international president of the labor union representing the workers, says Unite Here simply wants a say in how potentially game-changing products and services are introduced.

Marriott says the technology isn’t meant to replace workers, but enhance guests’ stays.

Unionized workers are also seeking higher wages, changes to the work demands for housekeepers and job protections for restaurant and bar staff as some hotels shutter those facilities.

Some 7,700 hotel workers are on strike across eight cities including Boston, San Francisco, San Diego, Oakland, San Jose, Detroit and Honolulu.