Phil Gaspar has sent along an update on the labour dispute affecting San Francisco hotels (and hence conferences held in San Francisco hotels) which I’ve reprinted under the fold.

Note that I’ve edited out a few links to conference sessions not at the St Francis where those links have already appeared on this site. I don’t think this changes anything in the text.

bq.. Here are a few follow up items about what is happening this week.

(1) Local 2 is planning to picket the Westin St. Francis this Wednesday, the opening day of the conference, from 4:00-5:00 pm. Philosophers are warmly invited to join the picket line. There will be signs with slogans such as “Philosophers for Justice” and “Philosophers Support SF Hotel Workers” for you to carry. It is possible that there will also be a union picket on Friday–I will send an update on this as soon as I have it. The union will also have members leafleting at the hotel entrances at other times, asking people to honor the boycott.

If the union does not organize a Friday picket at the St. Francis (remember, there are 13 other hotels it is also protesting and union members participate on their spare time), it has been suggested to me that APA members might want to organize their own picket on that day. If I get positive feedback on this idea, we will try to do it.

(2) It was not possible to pursue Mark Lance’s idea and organize an event in Union Square. However, since my last email, several sessions have been moved out of the St. Francis to other locations. On Wednesday and Thursday, the Society of Women In Philosophy has organized sessions at the Sir Francis Drake (a non-boycotted union hotel across the street from the St. Francis). … I would, however, like to draw your attention to the following Wednesday session in which I will be participating:

Sir Francis Drake Hotel
450 Powell Street

Philosophers for Justice

8:00 -10:00 p.m., Tudor A

Chair: Nancy Zeigler (University of San Francisco)
Speakers:

Kelly Dugan (UNITE HERE Local 2 Boycott Coordinator)
“The Hotel Labor Dispute in San Francisco”

Phil Gasper (Notre Dame de Namur University and member, National Writers Union)
“On the Morality of Not Crossing Picket Lines”

Laurie Shrage (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and member, California Faculty Association)
“Which Side Are You On, APA?”

Please forward this information widely. These alternative sessions mean that there is even less reason for philosophers to violate the boycott of the St. Francis.

(3) If you wish to make a donation to Local 2’s Solidarity Fund, the union sent me the following information:

“There is still an active fund, as folks still regularly come to the union for help with evictions, mortgages etc. Checks can be made out to: Local 2 Solidarity Fund, 209 Golden Gate, San Francisco, CA 94112.”

Best wishes,
Phil Gasper