Dozens arrested in San Francisco hotel protest
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hotel workers strike in front of a Marriott hotel in San Francisco on Oct. 4. Dozens of striking hotel workers in San Francisco were arrested today after blocking downtown traffic.
SAN FRANCISCO >> Dozens of striking hotel workers in San Francisco have been arrested after sitting down in the street and blocking downtown traffic.
Rush-hour traffic was halted this afternoon as about 1,000 workers demonstrated at the Marriott Marquis, one of at least seven hotels that have been picketed since workers walked off the job more than a week ago.
The workers’ union, Unite Here, says about 60 workers and supporters were arrested peacefully in a show of civil disobedience.
They’re among nearly 8,000 workers that have walked off jobs at Marriott hotels from Boston to Honolulu. Marriott is the world’s largest hotel operator.
The union says workers are seeking better compensation to keep up with soaring housing and living costs. They’re also concerned about new technologies that may replace their jobs.
