We organised a rally in front of the NH Hotel on Friedrichstraße to show solidarity with our sister union CNT Barcelona. On Saturday three weeks ago, we gathered with many supporters to draw attention to the situation.
Since 2024, workers there have been fighting for better working conditions at NH Hotels – and have already achieved important successes. However, the company responded to new demands such as fair wages, a cash-shortage allowance, and free parking with intimidation and the dismissal of active union members. This repression cannot go unanswered.
We stand with our comrades at CNT – today and always. An attack on one is an attack on all.
Here is the speech we delivered on site:
We’re standing here in solidarity with the workers of NH Hotels who founded a section in our sister union CNT Barcelona to fight for better working conditions. From day one, the company responded with a hostile, anti-union stance. Despite this repression, the workers won key improvements such as the conversion of temporary contracts into permanent ones, fixed quarterly schedules and yearly calendars, which allow workers to better plan their social and family life, and shift changes now counted as working hours.
But the struggle is not over. Since November 2024, CNT has renewed its push for fair wage increases that reflect inflation and company profits, a cash-shortage allowance so workers don’t have to cover register gaps with their own tips, and free parking as basic support for staff.
After failed negotiations, on December 20, 2024, the company fired two active section members – including the union delegate. These union-busting tactics will not be tolerated.
In response, the comrades in Barcelona intensified the conflict. Actions have now spread across Spain – to Madrid, Salamanca, Valladolid, Gijón, the Basque Country, Pamplona – and even to Córdoba, Argentina.
That is why we, as FAU Berlin, are holding this rally here at the NH Hotel in Mitte. We stand with our comrades and demand the reinstatement of the dismissed workers. An injury to one is an injury to all.
We would like to conclude with the words of the NH workers organised in CNT Barcelona:
Once again, as workers of NH Hotels we are forced to mobilise to confront the company’s abuses. NH sells its clients an image of elegance and comfort, but in reality its business model is based on exploiting its staff. While profits increase year after year and managers receive bonuses, workers are pushed to the limit until they can no longer endure and are encouraged to leave. Workload grows every year, occupancy increases every year – but salaries have remained the same.
In a city where rents have exploded and owning a home is out of reach for most, how are we supposed to live as hotel workers? How is it normal that we cannot cover our basic needs even though we work? Unionising is the only way to confront abuses and win improvements. Let it be clear to the company: we will stand firm for as long as necessary to win all our demands.
Other solidarity actions in Spain and around the world: