Alcatraz ferry workers union authorizes strike
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The union for ferry workers who operate the only ferry service to and from Alcatraz Island voted to authorize a strike on Tuesday. The union, Alcatraz Workers United, voted with 91% of members in favor of authorizing a strike.
The ferry workers, according to a post on the union’s Facebook page, have been fighting for a contract for nearly two years. The strike authorization comes just days ahead of Memorial Day weekend and the start of the summer tourist season.
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Alcatraz is one of San Francisco’s most iconic tourist destinations. The former federal prison on an island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay once housed notorious criminals like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly.
The former prison became a national recreation area under the management of the National Park Service in 1972 and draws over 1.4 million visitors annually, according to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.
During the busy spring and summer months, the ferry service runs between 15 to 18 daily departures to Alcatraz Island. Ferry service to Alcatraz is run by Alcatraz City Cruises, which is part of the Hornblower Group.
In a document posted to the union’s Facebook page last year, ferry workers said the ferry company has refused to make itself available for regular negotiations, refused to follow National Labor Relations Board directives to bargain over the ferry captains and maintenance supervisor, and failed to foster good relations with their employees.
The Alcatraz ferry workers ratified as a Union in fall of 2022. The union is currently still seeking its first contract. San Francisco Board of Supervisors President and SF mayoral candidate Aaron Peskin is a strong backer of the union’s cause.
KRON4.com reached out to Alcatraz City Cruises and received a statement that read in part:
“We are disappointed the Union would threaten out passengers, partners and the community with a potential disruption of these services. Please take comfort that if there is a labor dispute, it will have no impact on our operations.”
The statement went on to say that the ferry company is committed to bargain in good faith and is “working diligently” to “reach a mutually beneficial agreement” with crew members.
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