Among hotel workers and managers in Washington, there was watching, waiting, and unease about the possibility of a work stoppage.
"I'm not ready to strike, but if I have to I will," said Nathanial Battle, a bellman at the Marriott Wardman Park for the last 34 years.
Unite Here President Bruce Raynor, left, and union official Peter Ward arrive at a news conference. Raynor said a strike is still an option for the union.
(Tracy A. Woodward -- The Washington Post)
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_____Background_____
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Union, D.C. Hotels Recess Negotiations (The Washington Post, Sep 28, 2004)
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Hotels, Union Agree Only to Talk Again Next Week (The Washington Post, Sep 22, 2004)
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Housekeeper Advocates For Changes (The Washington Post, Sep 20, 2004)
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Union Leader Says Strike Is 'Imminent' (The Washington Post, Sep 19, 2004)
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Old Labor Tactics Resurface in New Union (The Washington Post, Sep 17, 2004)
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"If they say 'Strike,' I will follow the union in every way," said Willie L. Swinson, 71, a bell captain who has worked at the Wardman for 52 years. "I'm not nervous. I would just like to see it settled; then I know when I wake up, I have a job."
Ed Rudzinski, general manager of the Wardman Park, heard about the strike at 8:30 a.m. from his secretary, who had heard it from an employee who had a friend in San Francisco.
"San Francisco did a two-week strike," Rudzinski said to two of his top executives. "What does this mean? I don't know." He spent the morning in meetings strategizing for a possible strike, going over plans to bring in replacement workers if it were to happen.
The atmosphere at the hotel has changed since the contract expired two weeks ago. "There's not the same tenseness," he said. "The hotel is busy. Everyone's working." Security guards in black uniforms were checking guests' IDs before letting them in two weeks ago; yesterday, he had them end that practice.
"I don't think they're going to do anything. We're out of strike mode," Rudzinski said. "Either we sign or go on strike. Do something."
Staff writer Amy Joyce contributed to this report.
