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Oakland Marriott Workers Agree on Contract; SF Strike Goes On

OAKLAND (KPIX) -- Oakland Marriott hotel workers ratified a contract Friday and will end their strike Saturday, union officials said.

Union workers with Unite Here Local 2850 announced the agreement on Twitter at 7 p.m.

The workers are employed at the Oakland Marriott City Center at 1001 Broadway.

Marriott workers in San Francisco are still on strike. Marriott workers have been striking in other cities too.

Union officials said workers are demanding that they get paid enough by Marriott so they don't have to work more than one job.

In San Francisco, representatives for Local 2 tell KPIX the sides remain far apart when it comes to wages and health care.

As the strike entered its 30th day, officials in San Francisco did what they could to encourage a compromise. On Friday, San Francisco Board of Supervisors have called a special hearing to work towards a resolution.

Hundreds of hotel workers showed up at the hearing, filling the hallways of San Francisco City Hall as they made their way into the supervisors' chambers.

Supervisor Hillary Ronen noted that Marriott's CEO Arne Sorensen declined her invitation to participate.

It was quite clear whose side the board was on. Supervisors noted that low-income housing starts at $55,000 a year while the union says the average Marriott employee makes $44,000.

Dozens of hotel workers gave emotional testimony explaining why they say one job at Marriott isn't enough to support a family.

In addition to money, many cited health care concerns and inconsistent schedules.

In a joint letter, the mayors of both San Francisco and Oakland have urged Marriott to end the strike.

Marriott official said they are set to return to the bargaining table on November 12th.

While Sorenson was unable to attend, he did send a response to Supervisor Ronen.

"While we respect our associates' rights to voice their opinions and participate in demonstrations. We are disappointed that Unite Here has chosen to resort to a strike," the statement read.

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