By a strong majority, Hilton hotel workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 49, voted last night to approve a new three-year contract with the Sacramento Hilton Arden West. Like the contract approved by Sacramento Sheraton workers in December, the new Hilton contract significantly raises wages and reduces housekeeper workload, and doubles the hotel’s contribution to employee healthcare over the three years of the contract. Raises for the months since the contract’s initial expiration will take effect immediately, and wages, benefits, and working conditions will be protected should the hotel be sold.

The tentative contract agreement was reached last week, closing a single all-day negotiations session.   Contracts are set to expire at Sacramento’s three other major union hotels: the Radisson, the Clarion, and the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza.  

"This contract helps us all take a great step out of poverty and towards achieving our dreams for our families," said Hilton cook Nelson Hernandez. "The Radisson, the Clarion, and the Holiday Inn should follow the example of the Hilton and the Sheraton. We’ll stand with those workers to make sure they do."  

Local 49 members work in hotels, restaurants and casinos. They include cooks, room cleaners, bartenders, bellmen, food and beverage servers, bussers, operators and dishwashers.