Tuesday was day five of Chicago's first ever citywide hotel strike. Not only are workers from yet another downtown hotel walking off the job— hotel guests say hotel service is being affected.
The 26th hotel to be affected by the strike in Chicago was the Cambria Hotel in Streeterville, and while some hotels say it’s business as usual, some guests say it simply isn’t.
Thousands of hotel workers under UNITE HERE Local 1 continue their fight for a fifth day—walking off the job until their union and employers agree on year-round health care for workers who are temporarily laid off during the slow winter months.
"Just because you don’t have a job, you don’t get sick," hotel worker Javier Delarosa said.
While housekeepers, doormen, bartenders and others march outside— the positions must be filled by managers and other staff at some of the biggest hotels in Chicago.
One hotel guest complained on Twitter of a dirty bathtub and improperly stocked bathroom, along with delayed room service.
Guy Claveloux is in from New York on business and staying at Hilton’s Palmer House in the Loop.
“It’s a little disconcerting, rolling up and you’re like, are they going to come at me as I’m going through the doors?”
He says his job warned him ahead of time.
"There are a couple of things that are different, I come here at least six times a year, they have a little bit of a unique setup to get extra towels or there may not be room service," he said.
Joe Moorman is also a Palmer House guest.
"Anytime there’s replacement workers, you do worry about service, but at the same time the (International Manufacturing Technology Show) show is in town and I have to be here so, I don’t have a choice," Moorman said.
Three of the largest hotel chains in Chicago reacted to the fifth day of the strike Tuesday.
Hilton said managers from around the country are filling in— along with union members who are choosing to return to work.
Hyatt’s vice president of labor relations says many colleagues are working and Hyatt continues operations.
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Marriott International said it has contingency plans in place.
"I hope my customers put their shoes on my feet to see how they feel when they work for a company that doesn’t provide the medical coverage for their family," hotel worker Samuel Yolo said.
Sarah Lyons is affiliated with UNITE HERE Local 1.
“Folks are out here because they want the security of knowing they can take their sick child to the doctor in the winter time," she said. "We hope hotel guests can understand that."
The union did not respond to NBC 5's request for comment on how the negotiations were going as of Tuesday evening.
All that is know is the negotiations continue--and so will this strike until both sides come to an agreement.
