152 arrested at San Francisco hotel protest; demonstration one of several nationwide

152 arrested at San Francisco hotel protest

SAN FRANCISCO — More than 150 hotel workers and labor union supporters have been arrested in San Francisco after gathering outside a hotel as part of a nationwide protest seeking better wages and working conditions.

Organizers say an estimated 1,400 people took part in the demonstration Thursday at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco.

The protest was one of several across the country planned against Chicago-based Hyatt, by hospitality worker union Unite Here.

San Francisco police say 152 people were arrested after they disobeyed orders to leave. They were taken to a nearby police station and released.

Workers were arrested during similar rallies in cities including Chicago, Indianapolis and Honolulu.

David Lewin, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki in Honolulu, says the company is willing to increase wages and benefits, but the union didn’t answer a May request for a meeting.