The noisy unrest outside many of San Francisco's hotels continued over the weekend as ten other hotel members of the San Francisco Multi-Employer Group (which we'd link to if they had a web site) locked out their workers in response to the initial pickets at the Argent, InterContinental Mark Hopkins, the Hilton and the Crowne Plaza Union Square.

Guests have been roused at six in the morning by noisy workers banging drums, blowing whistles and chanting slogans. While some visitors have been supportive of the picketers, others feel that the noisemaking is counter-productive. Mayor Gavin Newsom cancelled a scheduled tourism pitch and has agreed to stay close to town in case called upon to help resolve the dispute.

The strike is scheduled to last until October 13th, although management may continue the lockout if no progress is being made in negotiations - bringing striking workers back to the job without a new agreement is just asking for an organized slowdown. If you'd prefer not to have to cross a picket line on your way in and out of your room, might SFist suggest you peruse this list of alternative accomodations provided by UNITE HERE Local 2?

Thomas Hawk, photo