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Chapter 23 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONSArticle VI — LABOR REPRESENTATION PROCEDURES IN HOTEL AND RESTAURANT DEVELOPMENTS IN WHICH THE CITY HAS AN ONGOING PROPRIETARY INTEREST

SEC. 23.52. POLICY, REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES TO MINIMIZE LABOR/MANAGEMENT CONFLICT…

San Francisco Administrative Code · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Francisco

(a) General Policy. The Board of Supervisors declares as a matter of general policy that when the City retains or acquires a proprietary interest in a hotel or restaurant project, it is essential for the protection of the City's investment and/or business interests to require that employers operating a hotel or restaurant in such hotel or restaurant project agree to abide by card check procedures for determining employee preference on the subject of labor union representation, as specified in this Article.

(b) Primary Obligations. Pursuant to the policy stated in Subsection (a), the following requirements are imposed, except no Employer, Developer or Manager/Operator shall be responsible for obligations under this Article if that person or entity is otherwise exempt from those obligations pursuant

to Section 23.53(b), or if the City does not have a Proprietary Interest in the subject Hotel or Restaurant Project:

(1) Employers. An employer of employees working in a hotel or restaurant in a hotel or restaurant project, shall:

(i) Enter into a card check agreement, as specified in this Article, with a labor organization which requests such an agreement for the purpose of seeking to represent those employees before executing the subcontract or City contract pursuant to which it will operate a hotel or restaurant in a hotel or restaurant project;

(ii) If the parties are unable to agree to the terms of a card check agreement within 60 days of the commencement of such negotiations, they must enter into expedited binding arbitration in which the terms of a card check agreement will be imposed by an arbitrator. In such proceedings, to be conducted by an experienced labor arbitrator selected as provided by the rules of the American Arbitration Association or equivalent organization, the arbitrator shall consider any model card check agreement provided by the City and/or to prevailing practices and the terms of card check agreements in the same or similar industries, except that such card check agreement must include the mandatory terms identified in Section 23.51(1);

(iii) Comply with the terms of that card check agreement and this Article; and

(iv) Include in any subcontract which contemplates or permits a Subcontractor to operate or manage a hotel or restaurant in a Hotel or Restaurant Project, as defined herein, or to provide a service essential to the operation of such hotel or restaurant, a provision requiring that subcontractor to comply with the requirements provided in this Article. This provision shall be a material and mandatory term of such subcontract, binding on all successors and assigns, and shall state (modified as necessary to accommodate particular circumstances):

roject, as defined herein, or to provide a service essential to the operation of such hotel or restaurant, a provision requiring that subcontractor to comply with the requirements provided in this Article. This provision shall be a material and mandatory term of such subcontract, binding on all successors and assigns, and shall state (modified as necessary to accommodate particular circumstances):

"The City and County of San Francisco has enacted an Ordinance at Chapter 23, Article VI of its Administrative Code, commencing at Section 23.50, which may apply to [Subcontractor]. Its terms are expressly incorporated by reference hereto. To the extent [Subcontractor] or its successors or assigns employs employees in a hotel or restaurant in [this facility] within the scope of that Ordinance, [Subcontractor] hereby agrees as a material condition of this [Subcontract] to enter into and abide by a Card Check Agreement with a Labor Organization or Organizations seeking to represent

[Subcontractor's] employees, if and as required by that Article, and to otherwise fully comply with the requirements of that Article. [Subcontractor] recognizes that, as required by that Article, it must enter into a Card Check Agreement with a Labor Organization(s) as specified by that Article before executing this [Subcontract], and that being party to such a Card Check Agreement(s) is a condition precedent of rights or obligations under this

[Subcontract]."

Notwithstanding the requirements provided in (i)any employer who has in good faith fully complied with those requirements will be excused from further compliance as to a labor organization which has taken economic action against that employer at that site in furtherance of a campaign to organize that employer's employees at that site for collective bargaining. This clause shall not be interpreted, however, to apply to economic action against an employer at other locations where that employer does business, or at any location for purposes other than organizing the employer's employees; nor shall economic action by one labor organization excuse an employer from the obligations of this Article or a card check agreement as to a different labor organization.

(2) Developers and Manager/Operators. Any developer or manager/operator of a hotel or restaurant project must:

(i) To the extent it employs employees in a hotel or restaurant in a hotel or restaurant project, abide by the requirements stated in Subsection (1);

(ii) Include the provision specified in (1)(iv) in any subcontract, modified as necessary to accommodate the circumstances of that particular subcontract;

(iii) Refrain from executing a subcontract by which an employer subject to (1) is authorized or permitted to operate a hotel or restaurant in a hotel or restaurant project until that employer has entered into a card check agreement with a labor organization, as required in (1);

(iv) Notify local labor council(s) and/or federation(s) of any hotels(s) or restaurant(s) and/or any employer(s) that will operate a hotel or restaurant in a hotel or restaurant project which may be subject to the requirements of (1), as soon as the developer or manager/operator identifies such hotel(s) or restaurant(s) or employer(s), but in no event later than 21 days before requiring an employer to sign a subcontract. This notification requirement applies only to hotels or restaurants or employers that will operate in a Hotel or Restaurant Project, as defined herein, and only where the City's proprietary interest is based on a Lease, a loan, or a guarantee, as specified in Section 23.51(10)(i);

(v) Inform any prospective subcontractor, that if the subcontractor acts as an employer subject to the requirements of (1), it must enter into a card check agreement pursuant to this Article before it may execute the subcontract, and as a condition precedent to any rights or obligations under such document;

(vi) Take reasonable steps to enforce the of terms of any subcontract requiring compliance with this Article. To the extent a developer or manager/operator is found to have intentionally aided, abetted or encouraged a subcontractor's failure to comply with such a provision or the terms of this Article, either by action or inaction, that developer or manager/operator shall be jointly and severally liable for all damages awarded pursuant to Section 23.54.

(3) The City.

(i) City Contracts. Any City contract executed under the authority of any commission, department, authority or officer of the City, which contemplates the use or operation of a hotel or restaurant in a hotel or restaurant project must include a provision requiring that any developer or operator/manager of a hotel or restaurant project pursuant to that City contract, and any employer(s) operating in such hotel or restaurant project, agree to comply with the requirements imposed in Subsections (1) and (2), as essential consideration for the City entering into the City contract.

(ii) Model Card Check Agreement. To facilitate the requirements imposed by this Section, the City's Mayor or the Mayor's designee may provide a model recommended card check agreement that includes the mandatory terms identified in Section 23.51(1) and which provides the maximum protection against labor/management conflict arising out of an organizing drive, and make such model recommended agreement available to parties required to enter into such agreement. The City may also prepare guidelines establishing standards and procedures related to this Article. Notwithstanding this provision regarding the preparation of a model card check agreement or related guidelines, this Article shall be self-executing, and shall apply in all circumstances and to the extent provided in this Article, in the absence of or regardless of such model card check agreement or guidelines.

also prepare guidelines establishing standards and procedures related to this Article. Notwithstanding this provision regarding the preparation of a model card check agreement or related guidelines, this Article shall be self-executing, and shall apply in all circumstances and to the extent provided in this Article, in the absence of or regardless of such model card check agreement or guidelines.

(iii) Requests for Proposals ("RFPs"). Any commission, department, authority or officer of the City which issues a request for proposals or invitation to bid or similar document regarding development of City Real Property which could result in a proposal contemplating operation of a hotel or restaurant project after the effective date of this ordinance, must include in such document a summary description of and reference to the policy and requirements of this Article. Failure to include description or reference to this Article in an RFP or similar document shall not exempt any developer, manager/operator or employer otherwise subject to the requirements of this Article.

(c) Applicability of This Article. The policy and obligations established above shall apply to particular developers, manager/operators and employers whenever the City has a proprietary interest in a hotel or restaurant project, except as otherwise provided hereunder. The determination whether or not the City has a proprietary interest in a hotel or restaurant project, and if so, whether an exemption applies under Section 23.53(b), shall be made on a case-by-case basis by the Mayor or the Mayor's designee by applying the standards and principles described herein and any further

standards and principles provided in guidelines distributed pursuant to Section 23.52(b)(3)(ii) hereof. Any party otherwise subject to the terms of this Article because the City has a proprietary interest in a hotel or restaurant project defined in Section 23.51(10)(i)above that claims an exemption from the terms of this Article under Section 23.53 below shall have the burden of demonstrating that the basis for such exemption is clearly present.

(Formerly Sec. 23.33; added by Ord. 6-98, App. 1/16/98; amended by Ord. 108-99, File No. 990298, App. 5/7/99; amended and renumbered by Ord. 15-01, File No. 001965, App. 2/2/2001)

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Contents — San Francisco Administrative Code
San Francisco Administrative Code
  1. Chapter 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  2. Chapter 2 — BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
  3. Chapter 2A — EXECUTIVE BRANCH
  4. Chapter 2B
  5. Chapter 3 — BUDGET PROCEDURES
  6. Chapter 4 — CITY BUILDINGS E UIPMENT AND VEHICLES , Q,
  7. Chapter 5 — COMMITTEES
  8. Chapter 6 — PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
  9. Chapter 7 — DISASTER COUNCIL
  10. Chapter 8 — DOCUMENTS RECORDS AND PUBLICATIONS ,
  11. Chapter 9A — FARMERS' MARKET
  12. Chapter 9B — FLEA MARKET
  13. Chapter 10 — FINANCE TAXATION AND OTHER FISCAL MATTERS ,,
  14. Chapter 10A — [REQUEST FOR SHERIFF’S SERVICES]
  15. Chapter 10B — SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES
  16. Chapter 10C — REIMBURSEMENT FOR TOWING AND STORAGE OF VEHICLES
  17. Chapter 10D — [RESERVED] CHAPTER 10E: PLANNING MONITORING
  18. Chapter 10F
  19. Chapter 10G
  20. Chapter 10H — RECOVERY OF COSTS OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE
  21. Chapter 11 — FRANCHISES
  22. Chapter 12 — HOUSING AUTHORITY
  23. Chapter 12A
  24. Chapter 12B — [REDESIGNATED]
  25. Chapter 12C — [REDESIGNATED]
  26. Chapter 12D — MINORITY/WOMEN/LOCAL BUSINESS UTILIZATION
  27. Chapter 12E — BAN ON CITY USE OF GAS-POWERED LANDSCAPING EQUIP…
  28. Chapter 12F — IMPLEMENTING THE MACBRIDE PRINCIPLES – NORTHERN …
  29. Chapter 12G — PROHIBITION ON USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR POLITICAL…
  30. Chapter 12H — IMMIGRATION STATUS
  31. Chapter 12I — CIVIL IMMIGRATION DETAINERS
  32. Chapter 12J — CITY BUSINESS WITH BURMA PROHIBITED
  33. Chapter 12K — [REDESIGNATED]
  34. Chapter 12L
  35. Chapter 12M
  36. Chapter 12N — LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, AND …
  37. Chapter 12O — [REDESIGNATED]
  38. Chapter 12P — [REDESIGNATED]
  39. Chapter 12Q — [REDESIGNATED]
  40. Chapter 12R — [REDESIGNATED]
  41. Chapter 12S — WORKING FAMILIES CREDIT PROGRAM
  42. Chapter 12T — [REDESIGNATED]
  43. Chapter 12U
  44. Chapter 12V — [REDESIGNATED]
  45. Chapter 12W — [REDESIGNATED] 1
  46. Chapter 12X — [REPEALED]
  47. Chapter 12Y
  48. Chapter 12Z — [REDESIGNATED]
  49. Chapter 13 — JAILS AND PRISONERS
  50. Chapter 14 — [REDESIGNATED]
  51. Chapter 14A — DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
  52. Chapter 14B — LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE UTILIZATION AND NON-DI…
  53. Chapter 14C — [EXPIRED]
  54. Chapter 15 — MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
  55. Chapter 16 — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES GENERALLY
  56. Chapter 17 — PUBLIC OFF-STREET PARKING FACILITIES
  57. Chapter 18 — PAYROLL PROCEDURE
  58. Chapter 19 — PUBLIC SAFETY CAMERA ORDINANCE
  59. Chapter 19A — PUBLIC HEALTH
  60. Chapter 19B — ACQUISITION OF SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY
  61. Chapter 20 — SOCIAL SERVICES
  62. Chapter 21 — ACQUISITION OF COMMODITIES AND SERVICES
  63. Chapter 21A — HEALTH-RELATED COMMODITIES AND SERVICES
  64. Chapter 21B — CORE INITIATIVES ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS, DRUG O…
  65. Chapter 21C — [REDESIGNATED]
  66. Chapter 21D — FOOD PURCHASES AT HOSPITALS OPERATED BY THE DEPA…
  67. Chapter 21E — GOODS OR SERVICES CONTRACTS FOR INCARCERATED PER…
  68. Chapter 21F — SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION SOCIAL…
  69. Chapter 21G
  70. Chapter 21H — PROCUREMENT OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION
  71. Chapter 22 — RADIO COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
  72. Chapter 22A — INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
  73. Chapter 22B — TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
  74. Chapter 22C — PUBLIC INTERNET ACCESS
  75. Chapter 22D — OPEN DATA POLICY
  76. Chapter 22E — CITY-OWNED FIBER-OPTIC FACILITIES
  77. Chapter 22G — OFFICE OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
  78. Chapter 22H — DESIGNATION UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY A…
  79. Chapter 22I — OFFICE OF CYBER SECURITY AND DUTIES OF THE CHIEF…
  80. Chapter 22J — ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS
  81. Chapter 23 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
  82. Chapter 23A — SURPLUS PUBLIC LANDS ORDINANCE
  83. Chapter 24 — REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
  84. Chapter 24A — ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE LOCAL RENT SUPPLEMENT P…
  85. Chapter 24B — RELOCATION APPEALS BOARD
  86. Chapter 25 — STREET LIGHTING
  87. Chapter 26 — [RESERVED]
  88. Chapter 27 — HEALTHY NAIL SALON RECOGNITION PROGRAM
  89. Chapter 28 — ADMINISTRATIVE DEBARMENT PROCEDURE
  90. Chapter 29 — FINDINGS OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FEASIBILITY
  91. Chapter 29A — APPROVAL OF POWER PLANT PLANNING CODE SEC. 303 C…
  92. Chapter 29B — CHILD CARE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR CITY AND CITY-F…
  93. Chapter 30 — CENTRALIZATION OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
  94. Chapter 31 — CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PROCEDURES A…
  95. Chapter 32 — RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM
  96. Chapter 33 — COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
  97. Chapter 33A — LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVE…
  98. Chapter 34 — NOTIFICATION TO ASSESSOR CONCERNING ZONING RECLAS…
  99. Chapter 35 — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL AND PDR COMPATIBILITY AND PROTE…
  100. Chapter 36 — COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTS AREA PLANS AND PROGRAMS
  101. Chapter 37 — RESIDENTIAL RENT STABILIZATION AND ARBITRATION OR…
  102. Chapter 37A — RENT STABILIZATION AND ARBITRATION FEE
  103. Chapter 37B — MIDTOWN PARK APARTMENTS
  104. Chapter 37C — [EXPIRED]
  105. Chapter 38 — COMMERCIAL LANDLORDS; ACCESS IMPROVEMENT OBLIGATI…
  106. Chapter 39 — [RIGHT TO RETURN TO REVITALIZED PUBLIC HOUSING]
  107. Chapter 40 — HOUSING CODE ENFORCEMENT LOAN PROGRAM
  108. Chapter 41 — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL UNIT CONVERSION AND DEMOLITION
  109. Chapter 41A — RESIDENTIAL UNIT CONVERSION AND DEMOLITION
  110. Chapter 41B — COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE ACT
  111. Chapter 41C — TIME-SHARE CONVERSION ORDINANCE
  112. Chapter 41D — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL VISITOR POLICIES
  113. Chapter 41E — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL MAIL RECEPTACLE ORDINANCE
  114. Chapter 41F
  115. Chapter 41G — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL COVID-19 PROTECTIONS
  116. Chapter 41H — [EXPIRED]
  117. Chapter 42 — INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
  118. Chapter 43 — MUNICIPAL FINANCE LAW
  119. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.1.1. TITLE.
  120. Title 2 — FINANCING RESIDENCES SEC. 43.1.7. LOANS FOR RESIDENC…
  121. Title 3 — BONDS
  122. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS
  123. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.2.1. TITLE.
  124. Title 2 — FINANCING FACILITIES
  125. Title 3 — BONDS SEC. 43.2.17. ISSUANCE OF BONDS.
  126. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.2.27. LIBERAL CONSTR…
  127. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.10.1. TITLE.
  128. Title 2 — PROVISIONS RELATING TO FORMATION OF DISTRICTS SEC. 4…
  129. Title 3 — PROVISIONS RELATING TO BONDS SEC. 43.10.18. ALTERNAT…
  130. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.10.22. LIBERAL CONST…
  131. Title 5 — CHANGE PROCEEDINGS SEC. 43.10.26. ALTERNATE PROCEDUR…
  132. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.15.1. TIT…
  133. Title 2 — RESIDENCES SEC. 43.15.6. LOANS TO QUALIFIED 501(c)(3…
  134. Title 3 — BONDS SEC. 43.15.15. ISSUANCE OF BONDS; LOANS TO QUA…
  135. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.15.25. LIBERAL CONST…

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