Union kicks off boycott

But such a process would be time-consuming and would subject workers to influence from management, said Angela Reid, an executive bartender at the hotel who has been at the forefront of unionization efforts.

"When you have the election, management can decide when, where and how it takes place," said Reid, who claims that polls show more than 70% of Hilton workers want unionization. "They can have it here in the hotel, with management 15 feet away giving the workers glaring looks, and that would make it very uncomfortable.

"With a card check, people can sign their cards in the privacy of their homes, take their time, then turn them in, and a neutral party would tally the votes," Reid added. "I think that would be a fair process."

Walsh believes insisting on a secret ballot is a delaying tactic by the hotel's management.

"They know that the card-check process is the most expeditious way of having the workers' demands met," Walsh said.

But Norman said that it is the union that is delaying the process ? by calling for a boycott.

"A boycott is counterintuitive," she said. "It is surprising to hear that those who purport to really be looking out for our team members' best interests would ask for something that could negatively impact their livelihood."