Alcatraz Ferry Workers Go On Strike, Demand Better Pay, Working Conditions

Alcatraz – Credit: GPA Photo Archive

The hardworking people who ferry visitors to Alcatraz Island decided to rock the boat again on Saturday, launching another strike in the middle of an already long labor negotiation saga.

The union, Alcatraz Workers United, announced they’d be picketing at Pier 33 until 10 p.m., almost two months after their last strike, where they made a headlines with demands for better pay and more predictable schedules. These heroes of the high seas, about 100 strong, work for Alcatraz City Cruises, the company that gets paid by the National Park Service to ferry tourists to the infamous island. Despite the strike, the ferries kept chugging along, with managers at Alcatraz City Cruises stepping in to play captain. “We’re slowly trying to move toward a tentative agreement, but these workers really felt like they needed to send a strong message.” said Evan McLaughlin, an organizer for Alcatraz Workers United.

Some of these ferry workers earn a measly $19 an hour which is pretty much unlivable for the Bay Area.

On Saturday morning, around two dozen strikers and their supporters showed up at Pier 33, while tourists waited nearby for their next prison-themed adventure. Alcatraz City Cruises had the audacity to post a sign apologizing for the inconvenience – as if fair wages are a nuisance… Also why the fuck do tourists want to hang out in a former prison? I never really understood that, but okay.

Alcatraz City Cruises issued a statement dripping with corporate jargon. “Alcatraz City Cruises is committed to maintaining a positive and collaborative relationship with our valued crew,” Antonette Sespene, the company’s general manager, said in a statement. “Naturally, we were disappointed that the crew’s union representatives called for a strike when the parties have been having productive negotiations. Notwithstanding the union’s efforts to create a disruption, we are continuing to operate all tours to Alcatraz Island.”

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors threw their weight behind the workers, unanimously passing a resolution in June demanding that Hornblower Group (the overlords of Alcatraz City Cruises, owned by investment behemoth Strategic Valley Partners, and also a hilarious name) hurry up and strike a deal. They insisted the company reimburse union members for any wages lost or vacation days used during this drawn-out negotiation.

Solidarity, shipmates!

I really wanted to make a Pirates of the Caribbean reference, but I don’t have one that fits and it is really bothering me. 

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