By unanimous vote of the Berkeley City Council:

(The City of Berkeley) ENDORS(es) THE BOYCOTT OF HORNBLOWER CRUISES AND EVENTS, INCLUDING THEIR ALCATRAZ CRUISES SUBSIDIARY, AND SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF DISPLACED WORKERS OF THE BLUE & GOLD FLEET BY ENCOURAGING HORNBLOWER CRUISES AND EVENTS TO ENGAGE IN POSITIVE NEGOTIATIONS WITH FORMER BLUE & GOLD FLEET WORKERS

WHEREAS on September 25, 2006, the National Parks Service executed a new contract for land and transportation to and from Alcatraz Island and Pier 33, replacing the incumbent Blue and Gold Fleet with Alcatraz Cruises, a business unit of Hornblower Cruises and Events; and

WHEREAS upon executing the ten-year contract, Alcatraz Cruises declined to retain longtime employees and ended recognition of their union, the Inlandboatmen's Union (IBU) and the International Association of Masters, Mates and Pilots (MMP-ILA) and chose to retain non represented workers; and

WHEREAS this act resulted in economic hardship to many of the employees, including the loss of their wages, healthcare benefits, and pensions, and

WHEREAS these employees subsequently authorized a boycott of Hornblower Cruises and Events because of these said actions, and

WHEREAS the Council of the City of Berkeley is compelled to speak out because not only have the employees been treated unfairly, but because Hornblower Cruises and Events operates dinner cruises out of the Berkeley marina, and

WHEREAS the City of Berkeley has had a long history of support for fair and just labor practices, particularly by companies operating in the City's own jurisdiction.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Berkeley hereby supports the efforts of the displaced employees and calls upon Hornblower Cruises and Events to engage in positive negotiations with the employees' union representation, and to reinstate the workers' employment status, fair wages, healthcare benefits, and pensions.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Berkeley hereby endorses the employee-initiated boycott of Hornblower Yachts until such an agreement is reached.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Smith
Chairman, City of Berkeley's Commission on Labor
Member, City of Berkeley's Housing Advisory Commission
Founder/President - www.NetFriendsOnline.com [1]

Phone: 510-375-1525

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