Supervisors introduce hospitality worker retention ordinance to require rehiring after change in operator

Supervisor Kim introduced an ordinance on April 22, 2014 requiring new operators of tourist hotels and large food-service facilities in San Francisco to offer rehire opportunities to the employees who worked at that location under the prior manager.

The ordinance, which Supervisor Malia Cohen co-sponsored, would require that a new owner or operator offer jobs to previous employees for a period of up to 90 days; during that period terminations would be allowed only for just cause. After 90 days, employers could terminate employees under applicable state law. Supervisor Kim framed the measure as a worker-protection step intended to give employees time to prove their qualifications to a new employer or find other work.

"The ordinance ... requires new operators of tourist hotels and large food service facilities to rehire the employees who served at that location under the previous manager," Supervisor Kim said on the floor. Supervisor Malia Cohen added that the proposal carries forward principles used previously in San Francisco worker-retention ordinances and said the change would help stabilize jobs and address affordability pressures by protecting access to experienced hospitality employment.

The supervisors described the hospitality sector as a major employer in San Francisco and said the measure was modeled on prior city worker-retention laws for other industries. At the meeting the measure was introduced for consideration and referral; it did not receive a final vote and will be scheduled for committee review and further hearings.

Discussion vs. action: This was an introduction of new business (legislative proposal). No final vote or ordinance number was recorded at the meeting; the measure will proceed through committee for hearing and possible amendment.

Context and next steps: The sponsors said the ordinance is intended to mirror prior worker-retention protections San Francisco adopted for grocery workers and janitorial employees. The measure, if enacted, would apply to changes in ownership or management at covered facilities and create a 90-day rehire/transition window with a just-cause protection during that period. The public record shows members of labor Local 2 in the chamber in support of the introduction; additional stakeholder engagement was referenced by the sponsors.

What the article does not assert: This article reports the introduction and the sponsors’ stated intent. It does not assume adoption or effects beyond what was stated on the record.