
After a protracted negotiation and public action, the union representing Alcatraz ferry workers, Alcatraz Workers United, has achieved a significant milestone in securing a tentative agreement on their first labor contract. As reported by Mission Local, this breakthrough comes after two years of bargaining, which included picket lines and an impactful strike. The tentative agreement promises to align the wages of Alcatraz ferry workers with those of their Bay Area counterparts, a boost that could translate to a wage increase of up to 35 percent over the contract's term.
The union, certified in October 2022 and representing the workers for the sole provider of ferries to Alcatraz Island, kicked off its bargaining challenge with Alcatraz City Cruises in January of the following year. Tristan Senft, a first officer involved in the negotiations, highlighted the resilience of his coworkers, stating to Mission Local, "Our employer pushed hard on us to give in, but my coworkers had the strength and courage to stand their ground."
According to a social media post from the union, shared on Alcatraz Workers United's Instagram, the workers are poised to vote on the tentative agreement. Meanwhile, Alcatraz City Cruises has expressed a favorable stance toward the resolution. "This tentative agreement is the result of a comprehensive negotiation process to achieve a fair and equitable resolution that supports both our crew and the continued success of Alcatraz City Cruises," General Manager Antonette Sespene said in a statement to Mission Local.
Before this agreement, Alcatraz ferry workers made their discontent known during a significant strike amidst the summer tourism season, which included an action that briefly halted ferry operations during Memorial Day weekend. Erik Anfinson, a ferry captain with 17 years of experience, echoed many of his colleagues' frustration, telling The San Francisco Standard, per Hoodline, "We do not have a pension. The scheduling has been horrible. I’ve been here 17 years and it’s been very difficult to know when we are on or off because the schedule isn’t made out way in advance." The strike action and the surrounding public support were instrumental in catalyzing the eventual negotiation of the tentative agreement.