By Brigette Browning
After 38 days on the picket line, UNITE HERE Local 30 hotel workers at San Diego's Hilton Bayfront emerged victorious, securing a historic agreement that sets a new standard for hotel workers across the region. This win didn’t come easily—it was powered by the courage of workers who sacrificed their paychecks, facing immense uncertainty to fight for a better life.
Strikes test the very soul of a union. Going without a paycheck for over a month, you may confront difficult questions: When will you return to work? How will you pay the bills? How do you stand strong in the face of scab threats? Yet amidst this turmoil are real moments of joy. Delicious food brought down by key allies. Dancing in the middle of the picket line. Elected leaders showing their support. Companionship and solidarity that is forged in a way you cannot duplicate. It really is a transformative experience
Strikes are the muscle of our movement. If we don’t use that muscle, it atrophies. Striking isn’t just about winning a contract; it’s about building governing power, developing new leaders, and changing the workplace for the better from the bottom up. Over these 38 days, we saw firsthand what militant unionism can achieve when it’s driven by a deeply democratic process. Our young leaders took charge in ways that left us humbled. They stayed way past their 5-hour shifts, led chants until their voices were raw, and proved that the future of this movement is bright—and bold. It was so humbling to see them progress into kick ass leaders.
It’s not easy to stand on a picket line for weeks, especially when your paycheck disappears. But what we gained was priceless. The support from our union siblings and the broader community was vital. Over $30,000 was donated to our Strike and Hardship Fund, and every day, fellow union members, elected officials, and community allies brought food, water, and supplies to sustain us. They didn’t just contribute material support—they brought their energy, their voices, and their hearts. Together, we made the picket line not just a place of resistance, but a space for celebration and solidarity.
The success of this strike sends a clear message: you cannot win by sitting on the sidelines. You must organize from the bottom up and strike regularly. It’s through action that you build power, discover your leaders, and have the ability to transform your workplaces and community. Every strike strengthens the movement. We cannot afford to let our strike muscle atrophy.
UNITE HERE Local 30’s victory is a testament to what’s possible when workers unite and stand firm in their demands. This was a hard-fought win, and we are now stronger for it. The 700 workers who sacrificed for 38 days didn’t just secure a better future for themselves—they proved that militant action works. Their courage will serve as an inspiration for workers everywhere, reminding us all that real change only happens when we rise together, refuse to settle, and fight for the dignity and respect we deserve.
Brigette Browning is the President of UNITE HERE, Local 30 and the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council.