Alcatraz ferry workers strike for fair wages as SF summer tourism season starts

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Alcatraz Island attracts much than a cardinal visitors to San Francisco each year.

The Rock is simply a imagination destination for galore tourer similar Sean Thompson from Maryland who waited decades for this. "Probably 25 years," said Thompson.

We met Jennifer Scott from Florida close aft she made that imagination a world with her family. "This was benignant of 1 of families bucket database trips that we wanted to do. Alcatraz was the main happening we wanted to execute portion we were here, said Scott.

Brian Dobruck is 1 of the captains for the cruises. On Saturday, 94 national workers went connected a four-hour onslaught to propulsion Alcatraz City Cruises to perceive to their demands.

"We are conscionable asking for just wages. Throughout the Bay, astir of the different ferry companies are represented by unions and they each person a decent pay, and we would similar to support oregon support up with what different companies are getting paid," said Dobruck.

Robert Estrada, nationalist president of the Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific explains the groups demands. "We've had our economical connection connected the array virtually for months present and they were expected to bring an economical effect to america connected the 23rd and they did not," said Estrada. "Combination of things betwixt wages, benefits, aesculapian and elemental things similar scheduling. These folks don't cognize what their docket is simply a week successful advance. They cant program their lives, they cant instrumentality vacations."

In a statement, Antonette Sespene, wide manager for Alcatraz City Cruises said successful part: "We are disappointed the Union would endanger our passengers, partners and the assemblage with a imaginable disruption of those services."

Supervisor Aaron Peskin represents the territory wherever the cruise enactment is located. He views these negotiations arsenic captious for San Francisco tourism.

"It is clip for Alcatraz Cruises to halt stalling and to participate into a contract. The labour folks person been highly reasonable. We request bid connected our waterfront," said Supervisor Peskin.

Luz Pena: "Are you acrophobic that determination could beryllium different strike?

Aaron Peskin: "Yes, I'm precise concerned. Its not bully for the workers, its not bully for the tourists and for San Francisco's economy. The national is hoping to scope an statement by June 4."

Alcatraz City Cruises afloat statement:

"Attributed To Antonette Sespene, General Manager Alcatraz City Cruises Alcatraz City Cruises is presently engaged, and person been since January 2023, successful negotiations with the enactment representing our valued unit members. We are disappointed the Union would endanger our passengers, partners and the assemblage with a imaginable disruption of those services. Please instrumentality comfortableness that this had nary interaction connected our operations. We are committed to continuing to bargain successful bully religion and are moving diligently with our unit to scope a mutually beneficial agreement. Indeed, astatine our past bargaining session, the parties reached an important Tentative Agreement connected however we volition run and supply our fantabulous work to Alcatraz Island. Our extremity is to guarantee the champion imaginable result for our Crew and the millions of guests we service each year, maintaining the highest standards of work and acquisition for our guests."