COMP NEWS – The largest hospitality union in Southern California has approved a strike for its workers that could happen over the July 4 weekend if an agreement isn’t reached by then.

The largest hospitality union in Southern California has approved a strike for more than 15,000 workers that could begin in early July if an agreement isn’t reached on increased pay and other benefits.

Unite Here Local 11 – the union representing room attendants, cooks, dishwashers and front desk agents among other workers – voted Friday on authorizing the strike with a 96% approval. The group claimed the strike would mark “the largest hotel worker strike in modern US industry.”

The union is asking for a $5-dollar hourly wage increase, affordable family healthcare, a pension that will enable workers to retire with security, and a safe, humane workload, according to a union news release.

The union has not specified an exact date for the strike but noted that it could happen during the July 4 weekend, a prime time for summer holidays and vacation getaways.

The union says that while negotiations began April 20, the hotel industry has not returned any wage proposals.

CNN has reached out to Hyatt, Hilton, Highgate, Accor, IHG, Marriott and the Hotel Association of Los Angeles.

The union did not specify exact dates when the strike might begin, only noting it could start as early as the July 4 weekend – a prime summer holiday weekend for tourists, according to Maria Hernandez, the head of communications for Unite Here Local 11.

The Hotel Association of Los Angeles, which represents the greater Los Angeles hotel industry, said there are other options other than striking that could solve the issues.

“We are disappointed that Unite Here is planning to take a strike when our understanding is the negotiations have not really run their course yet,” HALA spokesperson Pete Hillan said.

To read more about the impending strike, click here.

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