Thousands of hotel workers in San Francisco ready for strike vote

“The drop in visitors has resulted in fewer shifts for workers,” Bastian said in a statement, adding that other challenges include rising interest rates and inflation. “In the immediate future, we must make difficult decisions to preserve the industry. If we approach this year with objectivity and unity, we can overcome these unprecedented obstacles and ensure the survival of our community.”

San Francisco’s hotel sector is heavily dependent on business tourism and conventions, both of which have only slowly resumed since the pandemic, says Ted Egan, the city’s chief economist.

Hotel occupancy remains lower than 2019 and the city’s hotel tax revenues were $283 million in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, compared to $414 million in the 2018-2019 fiscal year, Egan added.

Despite the downturn, Marriott International, Hyatt and Hilton are very profitable companies that can afford to improve conditions for their housekeepers, cooks, dishwashers, bartenders and other employees, said Lizzy Tapia, president of Unite Here Local 2.

The workers’ proposals “really relate to what we need, not what we want,” Tapia said. “And the way companies have responded to us is almost as if they have taken a step backwards.”

Hotels are “taking advantage” of fluctuating occupancy to keep staff levels low even when there is a rush of guests. This is putting stress on workers who work shifts, and others who are not paid are staying at home, she said.

“We know for sure that business will pick up temporarily,” Tapia told KQED. “When business picks up, will they hire accordingly? Can we get people back to work when they are actually needed?”

The following San Francisco hotels whose workers have announced a strike vote are the Grand Hyatt, Hilton Union Square, Hyatt Regency Embarcadero, Marriott Marquis, Marriott Union Square, Palace Hotel, Parc 55 and Westin St. Francis.