I parked a few blocks away and was on the lookout for hotel workers to lead my way to UNITE-HERE Local 2’s contract convention being held in San Francisco’s huge George Moscone Center complex on July 23. Since 1986, the union has successfully used these massively attended conventions to mobilize its membership on the eve of contract fights.
I was definitely expecting an enthusiastic group. So I figured spotting these union workers wouldn’t be too hard, easily distinguishable from other late afternoon downtown pedestrians walking briskly to rush home after work.
I kept my eye out for people wearing casual and comfortable clothing after obviously having shed work uniforms. As I scanned the crowded sidewalks, there were several other things that caught my eye. continue reading