By Latonya Smith

San Francisco hotel workers were expected to vote Sept. 14 to authorize a strike at 14 luxury hotels throughout the city, a labor action that could have long-term implications for the travel industry.

More than 4,000 hotel employees have been working without a contract since Aug. 14, and sources predicted workers would vote in strong numbers to approve a strike. The scheduled vote was after the Bay Guardian's press time. At issue are several key points including health care, wages, pension benefits, and workload.

A key issue for both sides – in San Francisco and in other major cities – is the length of the contract. Local union representatives want a two-year contract, which would expire in 2006 along with similar contracts in several other cities, including New York, Boston, Chicago, and Honolulu. If hotel contracts in major cities end in the same year, unions will have bargaining leverage because a strike then could effectively shut down the travel industry.

Valerie Lapin, a spokesperson for UNITE HERE Local 2, the union representing the workers, said having that power would help level the playing field against large corporations. "This is a really huge issue and goes to the survival of the union," Lapin said. "It's important that we work in concert and support each other."

UNITE HERE Local 2 represents more than 4,000 hotel workers – room cleaners, wait staff, cooks, luggage attendants, and bartenders among them. The 14 hotels, while they are separate businesses, are negotiating together as the San Francisco Multi-Employer Group and include the Hilton, Westin St. Francis, Fairmont, Four Seasons, and Omni hotels. Contracts at several smaller hotels are also due to expire this year, and they usually abide by the terms of the union contracts negotiated by the larger hotels.

Representatives from the hotels refused to comment on the ongoing negotiations or prospects for a strike, but they've said in statements that they believe a five-year contract is important for the stability of the hotels and the workers.

A federal mediator was called in Sept. 7 to help break the impasse, but union representatives told the Bay Guardian that workers will vote to approve a strike. If that happens, union representatives said, a strike, picketing, and demonstrations could occur at anytime.