AVOID STRIKE at Westin St. Francis (SF) 'til SAT
Nov 18, 2009, 7:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1
AVOID STRIKE at Westin St. Francis (SF) 'til SAT
Avoid the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco this week, and IMO in the future. The workers are on strike, they are protesting from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Saturday, restaurants are closed, no room service and "minimal" housekeeping (e.g. coffee and towels only). I was supposed to stay there the 19th-21st for my birthday and have dinner at Michael Mina (excellent when open). I got a call from the restaurant today (note: not the hotel staff), letting me know of the strike and closure and therefore canceling my reservation. When I called the front desk, as a Platinum member, the incredibly off putting manager, explained the lack of services, refused to offer any consolations, wouldn't confirm a Platinum room upgrade and said my only recourse was to cancel. I was amazed that a luxury hotel would provide NOTHING when only offering Super 8 service. In addition, he warned me that I would have to push my way through the protesters to enter and would likely be able to hear the noise from the room.
I spent 45 minutes on the phone with a great, but powerless, SPG Platinum concierge, that could offer me nothing more than a comparable room at another hotel for $75 more per night. So, I cancelled and will stay at a neighboring boutique.
Thanks for the early Birthday present Starwood. Maybe, I should start listening to those calls from Hilton and Marriott reps who keep asking me to come over to their side.
I spent 45 minutes on the phone with a great, but powerless, SPG Platinum concierge, that could offer me nothing more than a comparable room at another hotel for $75 more per night. So, I cancelled and will stay at a neighboring boutique.
Thanks for the early Birthday present Starwood. Maybe, I should start listening to those calls from Hilton and Marriott reps who keep asking me to come over to their side.
Nov 18, 2009, 7:43 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Florida, the crazy folks state.
Programs: Marriott Titanium Marriott Platinum for life.
Posts: 16,974
Avoid the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco this week, and IMO in the future. The workers are on strike, they are protesting from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Saturday, restaurants are closed, no room service and "minimal" housekeeping (e.g. coffee and towels only). I was supposed to stay there the 19th-21st for my birthday and have dinner at Michael Mina (excellent when open). I got a call from the restaurant today (note: not the hotel staff), letting me know of the strike and closure and therefore canceling my reservation. When I called the front desk, as a Platinum member, the incredibly off putting manager, explained the lack of services, refused to offer any consolations, wouldn't confirm a Platinum room upgrade and said my only recourse was to cancel. I was amazed that a luxury hotel would provide NOTHING when only offering Super 8 service. In addition, he warned me that I would have to push my way through the protesters to enter and would likely be able to hear the noise from the room.
I spent 45 minutes on the phone with a great, but powerless, SPG Platinum concierge, that could offer me nothing more than a comparable room at another hotel for $75 more per night. So, I cancelled and will stay at a neighboring boutique.
Thanks for the early Birthday present Starwood. Maybe, I should start listening to those calls from Hilton and Marriott reps who keep asking me to come over to their side.
I spent 45 minutes on the phone with a great, but powerless, SPG Platinum concierge, that could offer me nothing more than a comparable room at another hotel for $75 more per night. So, I cancelled and will stay at a neighboring boutique.
Thanks for the early Birthday present Starwood. Maybe, I should start listening to those calls from Hilton and Marriott reps who keep asking me to come over to their side.
Nov 18, 2009, 9:24 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
I just noticed that the original poster is "Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1 ". Welcome to FT!
Nov 18, 2009, 9:26 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA--no longer 2P as of 3/2012 and don't even care. Never thought I'd say that.
Posts: 781
Nov 18, 2009, 10:27 pm
#5
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Aren't they on strike because the hotel wants them to pay more towards their medical and retirement benefits?
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Stri...-70434202.html
Local 2
* The union has proposed a one-year contract that would result in as little as a 1.5 percent increase in payroll costs — or less than $500,000 for the Westin St. Francis.
* Starwood, which manages the Westin St. Francis, earned $180 million in profits during the first nine months of this year and is trying to use the economy as an excuse to slash health care benefits.
Westin St. Francis
* The hotel has proposed a one-year contract that would increase employee contribution from $10 to $15 per month. The contract would also increase co-pay from $5 to $10.
* Health care costs have skyrocketed. The cost to cover an employee’s family is $1,080, as opposed to $300 a decade ago.
* The union has proposed a one-year contract that would result in as little as a 1.5 percent increase in payroll costs — or less than $500,000 for the Westin St. Francis.
* Starwood, which manages the Westin St. Francis, earned $180 million in profits during the first nine months of this year and is trying to use the economy as an excuse to slash health care benefits.
Westin St. Francis
* The hotel has proposed a one-year contract that would increase employee contribution from $10 to $15 per month. The contract would also increase co-pay from $5 to $10.
* Health care costs have skyrocketed. The cost to cover an employee’s family is $1,080, as opposed to $300 a decade ago.
Nov 18, 2009, 11:02 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: UA1k3.00mm;AAex-EXP;Hy Glob;Acc Plt;HH Dia;Onyx Plt;Mar LT Tit;IHG DiAm;RR P;RRA G;BW D;Hcom G
Posts: 2,759
Welcome to flyertalk. Try Hilton and Marriott and see if you like it. Let us know what you decide.
Nov 18, 2009, 11:09 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: SPG Gold, UA 1K, Avis PC
Posts: 341
Just walked by the protest about an hour ago on my way to dinner. It looked like only 20-30 diehards were still at it around 9pm.
Didn't a neighboring hotel protest in Union Square a month or two ago?
Didn't a neighboring hotel protest in Union Square a month or two ago?
Nov 18, 2009, 11:11 pm
#8
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
They're rotating among hotels. The Grand Hyatt and Palace have also been struck.
Nov 19, 2009, 6:13 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Nov 19, 2009, 6:15 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,027
Nov 19, 2009, 6:27 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Stuck Between the Moon and CLD or SAN, Your local Taco Bell
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT, DL PM, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,509
Aren't they on strike because the hotel wants them to pay more towards their medical and retirement benefits?
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Stri...-70434202.html
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Stri...-70434202.html
Have to say that I'll be taking my business away from St. Francis when in SF. No way I'll spend a dollar that goes to these goons.
Nov 19, 2009, 8:35 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Silicon Valley
Programs: Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 1,243
You do realize that by staying away from the Westin St. Francis you are doing exactly what the "laughable unions" want
Nov 19, 2009, 9:00 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: UA1k3.00mm;AAex-EXP;Hy Glob;Acc Plt;HH Dia;Onyx Plt;Mar LT Tit;IHG DiAm;RR P;RRA G;BW D;Hcom G
Posts: 2,759
I've stayed at the St. Francis a number of times, and don't really need any of their services, except a few minutes for check-in. I don't need maid service, I don't eat at their restaurants (too expensive), and I don't have any special requests. I had a drink in the lobby once and they gave me a hard time for using a free drink coupon I got at check-in. I asked the concierge when the restaurant on the top floor closed down, and they were not helpful. I don't need help with my bags. I did get backroom help when my 500 welcome points didn't post a couple of times. 
Nov 19, 2009, 9:18 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: UA1k3.00mm;AAex-EXP;Hy Glob;Acc Plt;HH Dia;Onyx Plt;Mar LT Tit;IHG DiAm;RR P;RRA G;BW D;Hcom G
Posts: 2,759
I personally would not make my first post here a complaint.
People with more posts tend to (not always, of course) be more experienced, accurate, and helpful in their posts.
Many posters who start out with negative posts never return.
Nov 19, 2009, 5:45 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA--no longer 2P as of 3/2012 and don't even care. Never thought I'd say that.
Posts: 781
Thanks for responding. I never thought of it that way, but now that you mention it, I think that I've seen some instances of posting that support your last sentence.