Statement from Unite HERE Local 2

Hotel Lockout Ends

Saturday morning, in negotiations at Mayor Gavin Newsom's office, the San Francisco Multi-Employer Group agreed to end the lockout.

UNITE HERE! Local 2 members will return to their jobs next week. Local 2 and the hotels have agreed to a 60-day cooling-off period during which the Union agrees not to strike and the hotels agree not to lock out. Negotiations will continue in an attempt to settle the outstanding issues in the contract: medical benefits, pension contributions, retiree benefits, right to organize, wages, and contract term.

"The members of Local 2 stood strong against the employers' lockout," said Mike Casey, President of UNITE HERE! Local 2. "By returning to our jobs we can now negotiate a fair contract on a level playing field."

"On behalf of the members of Local 2, I would like to express our gratitude to the many people who have helped us in this fight so far - both here in San Francisco, across North America, and around the world."

The hotel lockout, which affected more than 4,000 workers, is ending at the following hotels. UNITE HERE! Local 2 continues to encourage guests to seek alternative lodging in San Francisco. Click here for a list of accommodations.

Argent Hotel
Crowne Plaza Union Square
Four Seasons
Fairmont
Grand Hyatt Union Square
Hilton San Francisco
Holiday Inn Civic Center
Holiday Inn Express
Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf
Hyatt Regency Embarcadero Center
Mark Hopkins Inter-Continental
Omni Hotel
Sheraton Palace
Westin St. Francis

The contract negotiations affect 8,000 union members at more than 60 hotels and motels amounting to more than 85% of the industry in San Francisco. UNITE HERE! Local 2 represents cooks, room cleaners, bartenders, bellmen, food and beverage servers, bussers, housemen, PBX operators and dishwashers.

Because the lockout has been ended, the "Defend San Francisco" Rally on Tuesday, November 23rd, has been cancelled. However, San Francisco's hotel workers continue to struggle for a fair contract. Please visit http://www.unitehere2.org to stay up-to-date with Local 2's campaign.