In San Francisco, numerous hotel workers engaged in a strike, leading to arrests as hundreds participated in a demonstration advocating for improved wages and benefits after their contract lapsed two months prior. The incidents occurred on Wednesday around 5 p.m. when union members, having marched from Hilton Union Square—the city’s largest hotel—decided to sit down in the middle of a busy street.
Uniformed in red T-shirts, the protesters voiced their demands with chants of “No contract, no peace,” while utilizing air horns to amplify their message. According to reports, police officers were seen escorting those arrested to a nearby sheriff’s bus, as detailed by a local news outlet.
The union representing these workers, Unite Here Local 2, announced on Thursday that 85 of its members were apprehended during the demonstration. Over 2,000 workers affiliated with the union have been actively seeking enhanced salaries and better benefits since their contracts expired in August. Previous contract disputes have witnessed similar actions, including traffic blockages and sit-ins, with arrests occurring during protests in 2005, 2010, and 2018.
Since their last meeting with hotel management, including notable chains like Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott, in August, union representatives have expressed frustration over a lack of communication concerning negotiations. A Hyatt executive claimed that the union hadn’t attempted to re-engage in discussions since the strike commenced last month.
In an effort to seek resolution, the union proposed relinquishing guaranteed wage increases, instead offering to link raises to the revenue hotels generate. Lizzy Tapia, the president of Unite Here Local 2, emphasized the union’s commitment to aiding San Francisco’s recovery. “Back in August, we even offered to sacrifice guaranteed wage increases and make pay contingent on hotel profits,” she stated, urging hotel management to reciprocate their willingness to invest and to reconsider cuts made during the pandemic.
The strike affects several prominent hotels, including the Grand Hyatt San Francisco, Marriott Union Square, Palace Hotel, and Westin St. Francis, in addition to the Hilton Union Square. In response to the ongoing strike, Michael D’Angelo, head of labor relations for Hyatt in the Americas, expressed disappointment, remarking, “We are disappointed that Unite Here Local 2 continues to strike while Hyatt remains willing to continue bargaining in good faith.” He also noted that no communication had come from the union regarding resuming talks since the strike began. D’Angelo assured that hotels have established plans to mitigate the disruption caused by the strike.