From today’s NBC Bay Area News:
Thousands of unionized hospitality workers in the Bay Area, along with thousands nationwide, went on strike on Sunday.
In San Francisco, about 1,500 members of Unite Here Local 2 were on strike, along with others in San Mateo County and San Jose. They include servers, bartenders, housekeepers, dishwashers, bellhops, cooks, and other positions, according to a press release from the union on Sunday.
Union workers at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco Union Square, Hilton San Francisco Union Square, and Westin St. Francis have been asking for an increase in wages and better health benefits since their contracts expired in August. According to the release, the union is also protesting “painful workloads. “
“The hotel industry is recovering while workers and guests are getting left behind,” said Lizzy Tapia, president of Unite Here Local 2.”Workers are fighting for affordable health care and good raises because they just aren’t making enough to support their families. Meanwhile, many say their jobs are harder and more painful than ever.”
Michael D’Angelo, head of labor relations for Hyatt-Americas, said in a statement that the company was disappointed the union decided to strike.
“We have a history of offering competitive wages and benefits in the market, including comprehensive health care at little to no cost, as well as retirement savings,” D’Angelo said in an email.
“We have offered competitive wages, health care and retirement benefits at the hotel that is on strike at this time, and colleague benefits and wages remain unchanged as we negotiate a new agreement,” he said, referring to the Grand Hyatt San Francisco Union Square.
Read the complete story here.