San Francisco, CA
Hotel workers flood San Francisco City Hall amid strike
Hundreds of hotel workers at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. They have been on strike for several weeks (Unite Here Local 2 Union via Bay City News
SAN FRANCISCO – Hundreds of hotel workers showed up to a San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, urging the board to push their hotel management to negotiate a fair contract after several weeks of being on strike.
From Honolulu to Boston, thousands of hotel employees across the country have been picketing since last month as major hotel corporations, including Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt, negotiate with the Unite Here union that represents the majority of those chains’ hotel workers. The Unite Here Local 2 chapter, which represents over 15,000 hospitality workers in San Francisco, is leading the strike that started Sept. 22.
Workers with three major hotels in the city, Hilton San Francisco Union Square, Grand Hyatt San Francisco and Marriott’s Westin St. Francis, say that the higher-ups of the hotels are cutting costs at the expense of employees and hotel guests and want to remove their health insurance.
Board president Aaron Peskin called for a special hearing that took place at Tuesday’s board meeting so hotel workers could explain why they are on strike and describe their working conditions.
“For the past two weeks, hotel workers have been protesting against painful workloads and wages that aren’t enough to afford the cost of living and affordable health care,” Peskin said.
Anand Singh, a negotiator for the union, explained what led to the strike.
Dozens of hotel workers at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. They have been on strike for several weeks. (Unite Here Local 2 Union via Bay City News)
Since April, the union has been trying to make a deal with the hotels on a new contract that expired at the end of August. With no progress made, workers have walked off the job in the fight for a fair contract that includes better wages, health insurance, a reversal of COVID-19 pandemic-era job cuts and restoring fair staffing minimums to resolve being overworked, Singh said.
“The typical Local 2 member earns about $53,000 per year. But combine that salary with comprehensive health care coverage, retirement benefits and workplace protections and that’s been the basis for sustaining thousands of families in San Francisco for many years,” Singh said. “All of that is at stake right now in this moment.”
Many San Francisco hotel workers are demanding higher salaries in order to live where they work, saying that they can barely afford to live in the city.
“Hotels grow their profits and every few years, the industry’s deal with hotel employees in this city comes up for renegotiation,” said Lizzy Tapia, president of the union. “The big hotel companies, Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt in particular, are taking advantage of that moment to lock in wages that are very far below the cost of living.”
Micheal D’Angelo, head of labor relations for the Americas region of Hyatt, denied the allegations that Hyatt is negotiating an unfair contract.
“We have offered competitive wages, health care and retirement benefits at the hotel that is on strike at this time,” he said in a statement.
“We are disappointed that Unite Here Local 2 continues to strike while Hyatt remains willing to continue bargaining in good faith,” D’Angelo said. “Colleague benefits and wages remain unchanged as we negotiate a new agreement. We look forward to continuing to negotiate fair contracts and recognize the contributions of Hyatt employees.”
Dozens of hotel workers on strike spoke at Tuesday’s meeting to describe why they are on strike, asking for support from the board. The majority of them were immigrants who have worked at the hotels for multiple decades.
Hotel workers from the Grand Hyatt Union Square hotel on strike in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (Unite Here Local 2 Union via Bay City News)
Jennifer Huang has been working at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square hotel for almost 30 years. She is a member of the union and joined the strike to demand a pay raise and good health care coverage in the new contract.
“The land, the living costs and the significant inflation has increased over years, so I need a wage increase so that my family can continue (to) stay in stay in San Francisco,” she said at the board meeting. “Sometimes I think I might need to leave the city because I can barely afford it.”
Another primary grievance from the hotel workers is that upper management from the three major hotel corporations does not want to commit to providing quality health insurance in the contract.
“I’m on strike because I will not let the Hilton take away our health care,” said John Elrod, a bartender at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square. “They play games with the insurance we rely on. Even though I worked enough hours to qualify, I recently went five consecutive months without health care coverage because the employer did not make the contribution to the fund. I was forced to cut my pills, my medication, in half, so I could make it until my health insurance got restored. It was a very harrowing experience.”
When the pandemic hit, hotel corporations cut staffing levels. However, these cuts have continued and staffing minimums never returned to pre-pandemic levels, leading to remaining employees being overworked and lower quality service to guests, Tapia said.
“Every time there’s a downturn, we’ve seen hotel owners get more and more aggressive about trying to lock in the reduced staffing levels,” Singh said. “Even when business comes back, they reduce service levels and try to persuade customers to accept less cleaning, fewer amenities, less of everything, all while continuing to pay high room prices. The short-term profit that they seek threatens the reputation of hotels with their own customers over the long term.”
Bill Fung has been working as a carpet cleaner at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square hotel for about 30 years. As the only carpet cleaner, he has been tasked to shampoo all of the carpets in each of the hotel’s three buildings, a job that was previously divided between three cleaners.
Hotel workers from the Grand Hyatt Union Square hotel on strike in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (Unite Here Local 2 Union via Bay City News)
“Our hotel has three buildings, almost 2,000 rooms. Before the pandemic, they had three shampoo persons to take care of the carpets. But after the pandemic, they cut two people and forced me to clean the entire hotel: rooms, hallways, offices and public areas all by myself.”
Supervisor Myrna Melgar agreed that service at hotels has been lackluster while recounting her experience staying at a hotel in Napa Valley.
“About three months ago, my husband and I went to Napa. We stayed at a hotel and paid so much money for one night,” she said. “When we got there, the spa was closed and the things that were advertised on the website for all of the money we paid for were not quite there. I was so enraged … our industry has cut all these corners during the pandemic at the expense of the workers but also at the expense of consumers.”
In July 2020, the board unanimously passed an emergency ordinance to establish minimum cleaning standards for hotels to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, Singh said that this requirement has not been sufficiently met.
“In the years that these rules have been in existence, it’s been very hard to enforce them,” Singh said. “Because enforcement is very rare, the law doesn’t mean anything if there’s no way to hold employers accountable for that. We’re especially seeing that with the cutting of staff after the pandemic. Hotels are not clean the way they should be. They’re not clean the way they used to be.”
The dozens of speeches of the hotel workers appeared to resonate with multiple members of the Board of Supervisors. Some of them have also joined them on the ground to participate in the strikes and show their support.
“Hotel owners, listen up, these workers and this Board of Supervisors are standing hand in hand,” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen. “You’re not going to continue to operate in San Francisco if you don’t respect our laws and respect our workers.”
Several supervisors committed to fully supporting the strike until a fair contract is accepted by the hotels.
“The major hotel corporations absolutely need to just come to the table,” Supervisor Dean Preston said. “Do right by your workers. Stop whining. We will be out there supporting the workers as long as it takes.”
Parents, teachers and students are reacting after the San Francisco Unified School District announced nearly a dozen schools are at risk of being closed next fall.
On Wednesday, dozens of parents and students at Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy joined forces to protest the possible closure of their school after 30 years. SFUSD identified the elementary school as one that may be forced to close next year.
San Francisco resident Courtney Gordon said both her son and daughter both attend the school.
“I think I am just saddened, nervous and scared,” she said. “My kids really love it here. So, there is an overwhelming sense of sadness and worry.”
Students marched with their parents on Castro Street.
The district has identified for 11 schools for possible closure including eight elementary schools, one K-8 school and two high schools.
“We want to make sure maintain local control and make sure we have a balance budget and are not continuing to deficit spend,” said SFUSD Superintendent Matt Wayne. SFUSD said that closing the 11 schools could save the cash strapped district more than $20 million.
In a statement, San Francisco Mayor London Breed said that “What matters most for our city’s kids and families is for SFUSD to balance its budget so that it can maintain local control, a state takeover could be a disaster for our students and our families.”
The final list of recommended school closures is expected to be presented to the board of education in November and the board is slated to vote on the final closures on Dec. 10.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 6 game
NFL Week 5 Overreactions: Ravens are back, Bills playoff hopes are dwindling
Sports Seriously’s Mackenzie Salmon ‘overreacts’ to the biggest storylines from Week 5— including the Vikings’ 5-0 start and the Cowboys’ thriller victory on SNF.
Sports Seriously
The NFL’s Week 6 will kick off with a “Thursday Night Football” matchup between two teams coming off head-scratching losses: the San Francisco 49ers (2-3) and Seattle Seahawks (3-2).
Last week’s second half was one to forget for San Francisco. After leading the Arizona Cardinals by 13 at halftime, the 49ers failed to score in the final 30 minutes while the Cardinals stormed back to steal one on the road. Holding onto leads has been an issue for San Francisco, and something that’ll need to be fixed soon if it wants to contend.
Not many people expected Daniel Jones to survive the hostile Seattle crowd, but the New York Giants quarterback stepped up and delivered a surprising win in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle has now lost two-in-a-row, and in a middling NFC West, the Seahawks need a win to keep their lead.
PROP TALK: These are the best prop bets for NFL games this week
Seahawks vs. 49ers odds, moneyline, over/under
The 49ers are favorites to defeat the Seahawks, according to BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
- Spread: 49ers (-3.5)
- Moneyline: 49ers (-190); Seahawks (+155)
- Over/under: 47.5
Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Sunday Night Football odds and Monday Night Football odds.
New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites.
FEELING LUCKY? Here are the best parlay bets and odds for NFL games this week
NFL Week 6 odds, predictions and picks
Seahawks vs. 49ers | Bears vs. Jaguars | Ravens vs. Commanders | Packers vs. Cardinals | Patriots vs. Texans | Saints vs. Buccaneers | Eagles vs. Browns | Titans vs. Colts | Broncos vs. Chargers | Raiders vs. Steelers | Panthers vs. Falcons | Cowboys vs. Lions | Giants vs. Bengals | Jets vs. Bills
Lorenzo Reyes: 49ers 25, Seahawks 17
There is some concern over San Francisco’s recent issues finishing games, but the good news for the Niners is many of the issues cropped up because of self-inflicted errors. The 49ers are very talented and should be able to increase their discipline and focus. This could also serve as a wake-up call and might be a nice buy-low chance. And Seattle is too unreliable.
Tyler Dragon: 49ers 25, Seahawks 20
Are the 49ers in the midst of a Super Bowl hangover? They had a two-score lead at home in the second half against Arizona last week and still managed to lose. San Francisco is underachieving at the moment. Seattle at 3-2 is the only team in the NFC West with a winning record. But the Seahawks have lost five consecutive games versus San Francisco.
Jordan Mendoza: 49ers 26, Seahawks 20
Two teams needing to turn the page, expect the defenses to hold up early before each offense breaks through. Even if it’s in Seattle, the 49ers have won two-straight at Lumen Field. Make it three-in-a-row to put a tie on top of the NFC West.
MOST VALUABLE BET: Who is the favorite to win NFL MVP in 2024?
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco archbishop questions ballot mandating identifying pro-life pregnancy centers
NEW YORK – Ahead of polls opening next month, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco is asking the local faithful “why would anyone want to stigmatize a primary health care facility and a pregnancy resource center that gives pregnant women support for having their babies?”
The question pertains to a San Francisco ballot measure, Proposition O, that Cordileone argues would do just that, and for that reason, is urging the faithful to reject it. In part, the measure would require signs placed outside of pregnancy resource centers that do not offer abortions, or refer for abortions.
Cordileone, in a recent video message, highlighted the double standard of the proposal.
“Why doesn’t Proposition O require the city to install signage outside facilities that do abortions to direct women to places where they will be supported in giving birth?” Cordileone asked. “Why doesn’t it require such facilities to post the same signage announcing that they do not provide the full range of reproductive rights because they only provide abortion and contraception and do not offer life affirming alternatives? Do the authors truly believe in choice?”
Proposition O, or the San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Act, essentially reiterates many of the abortion laws that already exist in California to bring them to a local level, while adding the piece about the signage and a website that will be maintained by the Department of Public Health (DPH).
The website would list pregnancy service centers in the city that provide or offer referrals for abortions or emergency contraception, as well as “limited service pregnancy centers,” which are those that do not. The latter will also have the signs installed outside of the facility.
“DPH may install signage outside of limited services pregnancy centers in the City to inform the public that those facilities do not provide or offer referrals for abortions or emergency contraception, and to provide information about where those services may be available,” the measure’s text states. “DPH may prioritize installing such signage in geographic areas of the City where there is a greater need for abortion or emergency contraception services.”
According to the legal text, DPH would provide so-called limited service pregnancy centers at least 30 days’ written notice before installing the signage. The facility or owner of the premises can file a petition with the Director of Public Health to prevent the signage, however the director’s decision will be final.
In a proponent’s statement for the measure, San Francisco May London Breed said that it “ensures that everyone in our city has the autonomy to make decisions about their reproductive health.”
“Passing Prop O is not just about preserving rights; it’s about protecting lives,” Breed said. “Comprehensive reproductive care leads to healthier families and communities. Prop O ensures that women and all people who can become pregnant are not forced into dangerous or untenable situations.”
Conversely, Cordileone argues in his Oct. 3 video message if it becomes law, Proposition O would endanger the employees, volunteers, patients, and clients of life-affirming state licensed health clinics “because by singling out facilities that refuse to perform abortions, it potentially opens them up to abusive behavior by opponents.”
“This flies in the face of the measure’s language that states ‘People in San Francisco should always be able to access reproductive health care services free from coercion, threat, violence, or fear’,” Cordileone said, also noting that having babies is something that falls under reproductive health care.
“Both organizations targeted by Proposition O help women, children, and the entire family without regard to ability to pay. Both are licensed medical facilities,” Cordileone said. “If we want to create a civil society we must affirm across the board support for human life. That means alternatives to abortion and euthanasia, repealing the death penalty, and working to end all racial and ethnic discrimination.”
“I urge you to vote no on Proposition O,” the archbishop concluded.
Follow John Lavenburg on X: @johnlavenburg
Cross-Tabs: October 2024 Times/Siena Poll of the Likely Electorate in Montana
Ranking the 18 MLB teams that didn’t make the playoffs: Who is best-positioned for 2025?
Wimbledon replaces line judges with electronic line calling from 2025
'The Apprentice' director talks about the film Donald Trump doesn't want you to see
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23988689/acastro_STK069_appleTVPlus_02.jpg "Apple TV Plus is coming to Prime Video")
Apple TV Plus is coming to Prime Video
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Cross-Tabs: October 2024 Times/Siena Poll of the Likely Electorate in Montana
Haitian migration into US becomes major political issue as election looms
Orbán's main foe Magyar talks corruption, Ukraine and government fight
Some students are fighting to stay in college after the FAFSA delayed financial aid
VP Harris covers mouth, says ‘it’s a live broadcast’ after stumbling through Hurricane Milton speech
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25439572/VRG_TEC_Textless.jpg "Charter will offer Peacock for free with some cable subscriptions next year")
Technology1 week agoCharter will offer Peacock for free with some cable subscriptions next year
-
World7 days agoUkrainian stronghold Vuhledar falls to Russian offensive after two years of bombardment
-
World1 week agoWikiLeaks’ Julian Assange says he pleaded ‘guilty to journalism’ in order to be freed
-
Technology6 days agoBeware of fraudsters posing as government officials trying to steal your cash
-
Health5 days agoHealth, happiness and helping others are vital parts of free and responsible society, Founding Fathers taught
-
Virginia1 week agoStatus for Daniels and Green still uncertain for this week against Virginia Tech; Reuben done for season
-
Sports5 days agoFreddie Freeman says his ankle sprain is worst injury he's ever tried to play through
-
News5 days agoLebanon says 50 medics killed in past three days as Israel extends its bombardment