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Striking San Francisco Marriott Workers Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Marriott hotel workers ended their 61-day strike Monday after a tentative agreement was reached on a new contract, union officials said.

Nearly 2,500 Workers walked off the job in San Francisco on Oct. 4th and Marriott employees in several other cities followed suit after reaching impasses on new labor pacts.

"Three generations of my family have to share one apartment because my job at Marriott isn't enough," said Candida Kevorkian, who works in housekeeping at Marriott's Westin St. Francis. "Because of what we won in this strike, I'll be able to afford a better place."

The hotel employees wanted job guarantees concerning implementing new technology, changes to housekeeper workloads, particularly as "green" programs allowing guests to opt out of cleaning services become more popular.

They also were pushing for job protections for restaurant and bar staff as more hotels shutter those facilities. Leaders Of Local 2 did not release any terms of the new deal.

San Francisco London Breed lauded the end of the strike.

"I'm happy that Local 2 and Marriott have reached a tentative agreement to end the hotel workers strike here in San Francisco," she said in a statement. "In this time of rising inequality, it is crucial that our workers are able to earn a fair wage that allows them to live and support their families in the increasingly expensive Bay Area."

"I am proud to have supported the workers as they fought for better wages, healthcare, and job security. I want to thank both sides of the negotiations for coming together to reach an agreement."

A strike in San Jose was settled in early November and Oakland workers reached a new deal in late October. Last week, workers from hotels in Maui and Waikiki agreed to a new labor agreement and they are back at work at hotels such as the noticeably pink-hued The Royal Hawaiian in Honolulu. Earlier in November, Boston hotel workers ended a 45-day strike after ratifying a new contract.

If the workers vote to ratify the agreement, they will go back to their jobs Wednesday at hotels such as the Marriott Union Square, the Palace Hotel and the Westin St. Francis.

© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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