San Francisco hotel workers gathered earlier today to demand a fair union contract. The demonstration culminated in an act of civil disobedience, as several protestors sat down on the cable car tracks next to Union Square. Those involved in the direct action were arrested and taken away as the crowd chanted in support.

The contract affects 7,000 union members which account for 85% of the industry in San Francisco. Key issues include health care coverage for hotel workers, their families, and retirees; increased pension contributions to guarantee a secure retirement; the right for workers of new or acquired hotels to be represented by the union; ending abusive treatment by subcontractors; wage increases; and workload.

Of particular importance to the workers is guaranteeing that the new contract expires in 2006, which would coincide with the expiration date of contracts in Boston, New York, Toronto, Chicago, and Hawaii. This would allow hotel workers across North America to join forces and engage employers in a national debate over issues such as immigration and health care costs.


See articles for more information:

http://www.indybay.org/news/2004/09/1694609.php

http://www.sf-frontlines.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=825&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0