Unite Here Local 23 via Facebook

Employees at the Hilton Americas-Houston, a downtown hotel, voted to authorize a strike on Wednesday night by a margin of 99.3%, according to the local union representing them. The hotel workers are asking for a $23 hourly wage as part of a new contract.

The Hilton employees have been working since the end of June without a contract, according to Franchesca Caraballo, the Texas chapter president for Unite Here Local 23 .

"Houston, the cost of living here has risen by a lot, and workers are still scraping to get by," Caraballo said. "Many workers are having to work second jobs, even third jobs, to keep up with the cost of living, provide for their families, and a company like the Hilton, they’re coming off a record profit year."

Workers at the hotel, w

See Full Page