By Steven T. Jones
The Westin St. Francis Hotel on Union Square this morning became the latest target for the striking hotel workers of UNITE-HERE Local 2, which has been springing three-day strikes on local hotels. As we reported in today’s Guardian, the union’s contract expired back in August and the hotel chains are trying to force benefit concessions and increased health care costs on their workers.
The union urged guests of the St. Francis to observe the picket line that has gone up and to find other accommodations when staying in San Francisco, even offering to help with that process through its website. This strike will end by the first shift on Saturday morning.
Five years ago during the last labor standoff between hotel workers and management, Mayor Gavin Newsom walked the picket line in front of the St. Francis after hotels refused his request to end their lockout of employees, which affected almost every major hotel in town.