Pelosi and Newsom intervene
in Alcatraz ferry dispute

By Brent Begin, Bay City News Service

September 25, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - A labor dispute between the new Alcatraz ferry operators and labor unions boiled over this morning at a Pier 31 1/2 protest, but tempers have since cooled with the help of two local officials.

U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, and Mayor Gavin Newsom made a joint announcement this evening that union leaders have agreed to hold off on protesting against non-union ferry operator Hornblower Yachts, Inc. at least until Saturday night.

According to Marina Secchitano, regional director of the Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific, at least 45 ferry workers lost their jobs when Hornblower took over Alcatraz service this morning from previous operators Blue and Gold Fleet.

Many of those workers, along with members of the Masters, Mates and Pilots Union and other groups, rallied today, as tourists walked by, to resume labor talks with Hornblower, Secchitano said.

According to Newsom's office, however, the protests will stop at least for a week as all involved parties meet together in a series of talks this week.

Secchitano called it good news for the union. "Hopefully they'll shepherd us through this," she said.

Representatives from both Newsom and Pelosi's office are expected to mediate the talks all week.

"We are grateful to both parties for their willingness to come to the table and urge them to continue this process," Pelosi and Newsom announced today in a written statement.

"We are committed to assisting the parties in any way possible to successfully reach an agreement that would ensure representation for the workers, provide for excellent service to Alcatraz visitors, and enhance commerce while preserving peace on the waterfront."

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