Dozens of striking hotel workers filled Boston City Council’s meeting room with chants and cheers as the council unanimously adopted a resolution to support UNITE HERE Local 26 Boston, a hospitality workers union, last Wednesday.

Almost 4,000 Boston hotel workers have been on strike since September, and 609 Hilton workers remain on strike calling for “higher wages, fair staffing and workloads, and the reversal of COVID-era cuts,” according to a UNITE HERE press release.

“This resolution is not about words, it’s about action,” said City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata. “We commit to honoring the strike and so, therefore, I will not be crossing any picket lines and encourage my colleagues and all of Boston to reflect our behavior today.” 

Councilor Sharon Durkan concurred, saying, “I urge my constituents not to cross the picket line, not to patronize a hotel that is on strike.”

Beyond their vocal support, Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Councilor Julia Mejia both went on record to establish they had been respecting the picket line. Louijeune’s office canceled a breakfast meeting that would have been held at a striking hotel and Mejia chose not to attend an award ceremony at a hotel on UNITE HERE’s “do not patronize” list.

“This is what it looks like when we stand in solidarity. It is important for us not to just say that we stand with you, but, when we have the opportunity, to do it,” said Mejia.

For Mejia, supporting unions is personal. “My mom is 75 years old and still too poor to retire because she’s never had union representation,” she said. 

Mejia also recognizes the unique struggle that immigrant workers face.

“Being an immigrant and coming to this country with a suitcase full of dreams, oftentimes it feels like a nightmare,” Mejia said. She said the strike is about holding those people accountable who are “making millions off of your backs, who are doing business in the city of Boston but not respecting Bostonians.”

UNITE HERE Local 26 represents thousands of hotel, food service, airport, and gaming workers in the Boston area, “the backbone of the city,” according to Councilor Enrique Pepen. 

“These workers are our frontline ambassadors for our cities,” added Coletta Zapata. “They are among the first to welcome travelers and ensure our visitors have an exceptional experience in Boston.”

In addition to establishing a statement of support for the striking hotel workers, the resolution requests that the statement be sent to the general manager of each hotel on strike and pledges that the council “honor the strike and boycott by not eating, meeting or sleeping at hotels while a labor dispute is in effect and, to join all picket lines.”

“Many of these workers are still struggling to make ends meet,” said Coletta Zapata, “They’re not asking for the moon. They’re asking for dignity, fair pay, and basic benefits. In a union city like Boston, one job should be enough.”