On Tuesday, February 24, hundreds of hotel workers and community members marched through San Francisco to call on visitors to boycott two major hotels: the HEI Le Meridien and the Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf. The march began at Justin Herman Plaza, wound its way through downtown San Francisco, and concluded in front of the HEI Le Meridien hotel.

Building on UNITE HERE Local 2’s Hotel Workers Rising campaign, workers at these hotels are seeking respect, job security and better livelihoods for themselves and their families. HEI and Hyatt workers have called on management to respect their choice whether or not to form a union through the majority sign-up process – the same process used by numerous other hotels in San Francisco and across the US.

Even in the midst of the current economic downturn, the Hyatt Corporation is expanding its worldwide reach. HEI Hotels & Resorts – one of the country’s fastest growing hotel owners – has announced plans to acquire $1.5 billion of additional luxury properties in the coming months. At the same time, over 340 hospitality workers and their families at these two San Francisco hotels face unfair layoffs, unaffordable healthcare, and a lack of respect on the job.

Read more | Photos: 1 | 2 | UNITE HERE Local 2 | Hotel Workers Rising