San Francisco’s Hotel Frank[enstein] puts on a Horror Show for Employees

[Omaha Steve]

http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2010/10/14/hotel_frank/

Posted on October 14, 2010 by dsalaborblogmoderator

By Carl Finamore

Posted on October 14, 2010 by dsalaborblogmoderator

By Carl Finamore

San Francisco’s small, fashionable Hotel Frank is strategically located in the center of downtown just around the corner from two world-acclaimed theatres, the Curran and ACT. But no one imagined the chic hotel that advertises itself as “hip” and “liberating” would itself stage a performance that has people clamoring outside in ticket lines.

Oh, my mistake, I meant picket lines.

Pickets did indeed start up at the Hotel Frank after new management, Provenance, unilaterally announced in May 2010 the cancellation of all union contracts at both the Frank and its sister among the so-called boutiques, the Hotel Metropolis. This was a stunning announcement.

Provenance was actually hired by Wells Fargo, Trustee of the foreclosure of the Hotel Frank and Metropolis when the previous owners, pretty shady characters themselves as we shall learn, made a series of incredibly stupid business decisions that are still disdainfully ridiculed in business circles.

However, it is absolutely clear that labor protections were in effect at both hotels since day one of doors opening several decades ago. Nonetheless, Provenance, with Wells Fargo backing, declared the total union workforce of around 60 would henceforth be considered new employees.
No discussion with the workers and no negotiation with the union.

A hotel employee described to me that “within hours of the foreclosure sale, Provenance staff marched into our hotel and announced that we were working an extra half-hour per day for free; that nobody had medical coverage, sick leave, holiday pay or vacation pay any more. They significantly upped the number of rooms that the hard-working room cleaners had to clean, even if it meant skipping their breaks and meal periods; they cut back on staffing at the front desk while seriously increasing their workload and, to top it off, generally made themselves obnoxious.”

But though Provenance may think the curtain will not rise again, workers believe it is just a long intermission.

In fact, UNITE HERE, Local 2 union employees called for a boycott and approved a possible strike of the two hotels by a 93% margin in July. Protests regularly occur while employees remain on the job.

FULL story at link.

[mediaman007]

1. Make no mistake: It IS class warfare!

Its always easiest to take from the vulnerable.

[Hannah Bell]

2. this seems to be a trend. gm just called layoffs at orion back to work -- if 40%

of them will take a 50% pay cut.

no vote, no negotiation.

[fasttense]

3. We need to learn how to fight back. I think our Unions were too

complacent when Raygun came in and started killing them off. Heck, the very same union that was 1st destroyed by Raygun was the very same union that supported Raygun against Carter in the elections. Now, I hear the police Union in California has made a deal with a RepubliCON devil.

Our Union leaders need to take some tips from the French.

[xchrom]

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