California 75 hotel workers arrested

San Francisco police arrested 75 hotel workers protesting outside the J. W. Marriott’s Westin St. Francis hotel on Labor Day for blocking a street in one of the city’s busiest tourist areas.

About 900 Marriott hotel workers demonstrated Monday at Union Square as they consider a vote to authorize a strike, said Unite Here Local 2 spokesman Ted Waechter. He said 8,000 workers in more than 50 hotels in San Francisco and six other North American cities are working without a contract

A Marriott spokesman said the hotel has a longstanding and productive relationship with Unite Here and is negotiating in good faith.San Francisco Police spokeswoman Officer Grace Gatpandan said those arrested face misdemeanour charges of failing to obey a police officer.