San Francisco Sightseeing Articles

San Francisco has long had the status for a Bohemian air based on the connection of Height and Ashbury and the free expression it receptively entices. Numerous policies and lifestyles accepted here- for one reason or another - probably would not fly in suburban Iowa. They would die a rapid death in Dallas.

For the most part, the pseudo circus impression that hovers over the city, attracting cannabis, where-with-alls, homeless entrepreneurs with nothing more than cardboard signs, software entrepreneurs with Ferraris, Porsches and trophy blondes, loons, lovers, losers, and visitors from all over the world, entices imagination and culture- in a variety of forms - seldom found in other geographic enclaves.

And while getting of sights unseen in less interesting hamlets is a given - if you don't like what you see turn the channel - some acts are repulsive to the point of disgusting.

Yesterday I had the chance to observe a disturbing act played out in Union Square, The City's high-rent retail holiday gem: A steady stream of striking hospitality workers- maids, bell hops, attendants and the like, marched in front of The Westin St. Francis Hotel for the second day of a three day strike. Unite Here! Local 2, under the direction of union president Michael Casey, had previously staged two other three day strikes since contract talks have stalled between the union and 61 city hotels.

Casey and his team claim the hotels are asking for more work and responsibility and scheduling less staff to accomplish the work. They also are balking at the proposed $5.00 a month Health Benefit increase. On the other side, the hotels are claiming health costs are rising rapidly and they can no longer afford to carry the burden.

Casey of course, has been promoting the mini strikes in style. That's his. And, the union members, who obviously feel Casey has a point, take to the sidewalks, bull horns and signboards in hand to disrupt whatever spirit the holidays bring to The Square.

In an economy that disgracefully boasts an unemployment rate of 10.2% the striking workers should be equally ashamed of the actions they are participating in. Not only are they disrupting their places of employment, they are hurting other retailers on the perimeter of Union Square that are barely hanging on due to the slumping economy, the decreased tourist volume and rents that still skyrocket while economic indicators plummet.

Naturally the strikers are a passionate crew. Give any group a bull horn, a union scripted chant, a sign, and a cause and workers turn into lemmings. Casey could probably get them to march to the sea.

I am sure Casey feels that his union deserves better. And, I am also sure the management feels they deserve better. But I have to wonder if striking during the worst economic downturn in an economy is the brightest maneuver.

It's ironic that on this weekend before blessing people who have jobs place their own greed in front of the needs of others. Instead of being thankful they are employed the hotel workers choose to cause turmoil and disruption for not only the owner's of the hotels they work in but for other struggling retailers. And, they think this will help them gain sympathy in the eyes of the guests who stay at the hotel.

It's a travesty, in my world, that the Unite Here! Workers are striking while others are walking the streets looking for work. It's unfortunate every one of the workers on the sidewalk couldn't be replaced tomorrow because there are people, good people, anxiously awaiting their jobs.

But that won't happen. It can't. But one thing that can happen, the next time I stay at a hotel with a Unite Here! Local 2 union members on the housekeeping staff, the gratuity I usually leave upon check-out won't be on the dresser.