What’s that saying: “Better late than never.” I just found out that this week is International Housekeepers Week, a seven-day celebration in honor of those who clean up after us (hey, I thought that was what Mother’s Day was for). In all seriousness, I am blogging about this special occasion in the “Travel” category because I feel hotel room attendants (who often go unnoticed and under-appreciated) deserve recognition this week.
When was the last time you passed a hotel room attendant in the hall and said “thank you” or, perhaps, even left a tip in appreciation for their tidying efforts. Yes, I realize you may be thinking, it’s their job, so why should we be setting aside an entire week to “honor” them? Well, consider this: a recent study found that hotel housekeepers are generally the most underpaid employees in the travel industry. And, while they play a key role in making sure your stay is clean and comfy, even veterans can make less than $10 an hour. (By the way, tips are not as plentiful as some may think. Like I asked before: when was the last time you left a hefty tip for a hotel attendant?)
However, as in an industry there are exceptions to that rule. Recent news reports announced that under a new pact with two- dozen Chicago-area Hilton properties, “union room attendants now get $13.20 an hour. And when check-outs are particularly heavy, they don’t have to do their usual quota of 16 rooms daily.” Sixteen rooms may not sound like a lot to a mom who cleans an entire house in less than four hours, but considering that the average hotel housekeeper changes sheets on up to 32 heavy pillow-top mattresses a day, five days a week, not to mention, scrubbing, dusting and vacuuming… well, you get the idea.
According to the UNITE HERE union, there are cities where U.S. housekeepers can make a relatively decent amount of money. For example, since July, hotel room attendants in New York City make $21.23 an hour in a new contract involving 138 hotels. Among them: the two Manhattan Ritz-Carltons, the Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental.
Of course, we shouldn’t limit our appreciation for the housekeeper to just this week. The next time you see a hotel room attendant in the hall… no matter what day it is… simply say “thanks.”