UNITE-HERE plans rally for unionized hotel workers

SAN FRANCISCO — The organization representing workers in San Francisco hotels called upon Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees-Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (UNITE-HERE), to continue contract negotions instead of rallying, according to the San Francisco Sentinel.

Sam Singer, a spokesman for the Hotel Council of San Francisco, said: "Choosing to rally instead of choosing to negotiate demonstrates that UNITE-HERE Local 2 in San Francisco is not focused on finding a solution to the very real economic issues facing our businesses and our employees."

A rally is planned today at 4:15 p.m. local time near the Four Seasons Hotel at 757 Market Street, the story stated.

Opponents of UNITE-HERE Local 2''s efforts are calling a measure put on the November ballot by labor leaders that will raise hotel taxes in San Francisco from 15.5 percent to 17.5 percent "a job killer," the story noted.

UNITE-HERE Local 2 membership has steadily dropped over the past few years from 14,000 to the current 9,000, something the Hotel Council of San Francisco is highlighting as a need to "save jobs, not waste time with publicity stunts," the story added.

According to the story, area hotels are honoring a contract that expired in August 2009 with UNITE-HERE Local 2 members that keeps their wage and benefits at current levels.

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