Hilton Hotel And Union Avoid Contract Battle With New Agreement

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— Hotel workers and the Hilton San Francisco Union Square have agreed to a new five-year contract in a move that avoids further hotel strife in one of the city's largest hotels.

An announcement was made Monday with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee present where Unite Here Local 2 Union President Mike Casey said the contract was ratified by 99 percent of the workers, five months before the current contract ends.

Over the years, the union has gone through strikes, lockouts and boycotts

Lee praised the Hilton and the union for avoiding the drama that usually comes with hotel worker contracts.

"You've got to treat your workers with the highest quality that they deserve. When they're happy, we're all happy and I'm happy," said Lee.

Michael Dunne, the general manager of the hotel, said it's a good deal for the city, the workers and the guests of the Hilton.

"The workers can retire in dignity. They can provide health care for their families and they have a living wage that they can survive on," added Casey.

The contract covers 750 workers and gives them a four percent raise. Union members will decide each of the five years just how to disburse the money between wages, healthcare and pensions.

The union hopes to obtain similar contracts with other hotels while also unionizing more workers. The agreement was part of a six city coordinated effort and Casey said the Hilton has shown leadership by setting a new standard for the hotel industry.

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