How labor disputes at metro Phoenix hotels could affect the LA Dodgers during the NLDS

Dina Kaur, Arizona Republic
Updated ·3 min read
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The Arizona Diamondbacks faced criticism on Saturday from over 32,000 hospitality workers when the team stayed at a hotel in Los Angeles that was experiencing a labor dispute and boycott.

UNITE HERE Local 11 shared their concerns on social media and requested the Diamondbacks to change their hotel last weekend.

Now, the attention is turning to Phoenix, where the L.A. Dodgers will play Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field, and Game 4 if necessary. Game 3 is Wednesday, and Game 4 is scheduled for Thursday.

UNITE HERE Local 11 is a union for workers in hotels, restaurants, airports, sports arenas and convention centers in Southern California and Arizona. They are fighting for improved living standards and working conditions. UNITE HERE Local 11 is an affiliate of the UNITE HERE International Union that represents thousands of workers throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

According to the UNITE HERE Local 11 website, there are about five union properties in Arizona, so the question is will the Dodgers be staying at one of these properties or instead follow in the footsteps of the DBacks?

What hotel did the Arizona Diamondbacks stay at in L.A.?

The Diamondbacks stayed at the JW Mariott L.A. Live before their first MLB playoff game against the Dodgers on Saturday.

The UNITE HERE Local 11 posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that this was the second time the team did not respect the boycott of the hotel during labor disputes.

The post from Oct. 5 goes on to say that housekeepers, cooks, dishwashers and bellmen have called for a boycott of Los Angeles-area hotels until they win a wage that allows them to be able to afford living in L.A.

“The workers ask the Arizona Diamondbacks to honor their picket line and move to a hotel, like the Biltmore Los Angeles or Westin Bonaventure, that has agreed to provide a living wage,” the post said. “If one of the biggest sports stars in the world, Lionel Messi and InterMiami CF, can change hotels to support workers, so can they.”

The union said to The Arizona Republic that the Major League Baseball Players Association formally requested that the MLB avoid using the hotel.

On Oct. 6 the Diamondbacks answered with a post on X themselves, stating that because of the “unique and demanding travel accommodations” needed for the team’s requirements and the group size, they are unable to relocate.

“The Arizona Diamondbacks support the rights of individuals to receive fair and equitable compensation as evidenced by our strong history and commitment to collective bargaining agreements,” the post said.

What hotels in Phoenix are affected by labor disputes?

There are five hotels in metro Phoenix where employees represented by UNITE HERE are in the midst of labor disputes. Contracts expired this year and workers are seeking improved wages, affordable health insurance, a pension and humane workloads, according to Rachele Smith, a spokesperson for the union.

Here are the affected hotels:

  • Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak.

  • Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.

  • Westin Phoenix Downtown.

  • Renaissance Phoenix Downtown.

  • Tempe Mission Palms.

Where are the LA Dodgers staying in Phoenix?

The LA Dodgers told The Arizona Republic that they do not disclose information about which hotel the team will stay at during their NLDS games in Phoenix.

Smith said UNITE HERE is not sure where the Dodgers will be staying this week, but the team has stayed in Scottsdale in the past.

She said if the Dodgers do stay in Scottsdale, they will not be crossing a picket line as the labor disputes are mostly focused in downtown Phoenix.

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Reach the reporter at dina.kaur@arizonarepublic.com. Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How hotel labor disputes could affect the LA Dodgers in Phoenix