Boston hotel workers vote to authorize strike

Members of UNITE HERE Local 26 - the union that represents hotel, food service, casino and airport workers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island - have voted to begin a strike against Boston's hotels on 1 September if a new contract cannot be agreed upon before then.

Strike would involve 4500 housekeepers, front-desk personnel, bell- and door-persons, restaurant servers, bartenders, cooks and dishwashers at 35 hotel properties.

Bargaining over a new contract has been ongoing since April, but is now at a standstill.

Local 26 wants more new hires, higher wages and better benefits for its members.

A hotel spokesperson said owners "remain optimistic that a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached without a strike."

Will Boston lodging grind to a halt just in time for Labor Day weekend? Stay tuned.