San Francisco hotel workers fight for contract

Over the coming weeks, 8,000 workers in San Francisco’s hospitality industry will renegotiate their contracts with some of the country’s largest hotel corporations. Room cleaners, bussers, cooks and dishwashers – members of UNITE HERE! Local 2 – are fighting to defend their families’ livelihoods from the corporations’ attacks. Local 2 has launched http://www.unitehere2.org, to keep the community informed as this campaign unfolds.

The hotel companies have already signaled that they want to roll back the living standards of working people in San Francisco. A recent article in the San Francisco Business Times revealed employers’ plans to propose deep cut-backs in workers’ health care, and to take an aggressive stance in negotiations.

Local 2 has responded by calling a March & Rally on August 13 – the day before the majority of hotel workers’ contracts expire. The march will begin at 4:15 p.m. from two locations: at Union Square (at Geary & Powell) and at Yerba Buena Gardens (Mission between 3rd & 4th).

Tourism is the core of San Francisco’s economy, and the hotel workers’ campaign will help define the standard for workers throughout this city. As we fight to make sure that livable wages and benefits are not replaced by Walmart-style jobs, we need your help. Please visit our website and come out to march with us on August 13.