SAN FRANCISCO—About 800 unionists and others demonstrated here September 6 at the Four Seasons and Hyatt Regency hotels to support the fight for a contract by UNITE HERE Local 2, which organizes hotel workers at 14 Bay Area hotels.

“I have been to four other rallies starting August 1 around this contract fight,” said Local 2 member Yuri Chauca, who has been bussing tables at the restaurant in the Hilton hotel for more than two years. “The company doesn’t care. They want to take $75 out of our weekly checks for health care. They have a lot of money, but we are ready to strike.”

“This fight is focused on stopping the cuts in medical benefits for retirees and lower seniority workers,” said Meg Robertson, a UNITE HERE staff member. “Hundreds will lose all benefits if we don’t win.”