Airbnb negotiations with powerful US labor union facing backlash

Potential partnership with SEIU sparks outcry from labor activists and New York politicians over controversial collaboration with tech startup

Airbnb's attempt to negotiate a deal with one of the most powerful unions in the US is being undermined after intense backlash in the labor movement, the Guardian has learned.

The home-sharing startup has been in discussions with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to reach a deal under which the home-sharing service would promote unionized housekeepers.