11:24 AM EDT, 04/29/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Unionized employees are expected to demonstrate outside their workplaces in 18 cities in the US and Canada on Wednesday as contract talks begin at Marriott International ( MAR ) , Hilton Worldwide Holdings ( HLT ) and Hyatt Hotels ( H ) , according to a Reuters report.

The contract negotiations are expected to address staffing and service cuts at hotels that began following the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to wages and other working conditions for the Unite Here union's 40,000 organized workers. Talks reportedly have already started in a handful of cities, with Unite Here locals in each city negotiating contracts for their members.

The companies did not immediately reply Monday morning to requests for comment and additional information from MT Newswires. Messages sent to Unite Here's national headquarters also were not immediately returned.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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