San Francisco’s longest hotel strike since the Willie Brown administration reached its 12th week Sunday, as 2,500 workers from six hotels remain off the job. The strike and its booming drum line and chanting has rattled holiday shoppers in Union Square. But even more worrisome to city officials is how the work stoppage is threatening to derail J.P. Morgan’s healthcare conference in mid-January. 

The city’s tourism industry has been struggling since the pandemic, and losing a marquee convention would be a serious blow. As of now, no one involved in the hotel strike sees a resolution.

Sources close to the strike have credited Mayor London Breed with negotiating a truce to keep hotel workers on the job during the Dreamforce convention in September. She’s joined the picket line and has the appreciation of hotel workers, who are refusing to make concessions on their healthcare plans. But Breed’s status as a lame-duck mayor has hampered her ability as a negotiator.

Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie will likely be left holding the bag. He’ll be sworn into office Jan. 8, just five days before the J.P. Morgan convention is set to begin. Lurie’s transition team confirmed he has met with leaders of Unite Here Local 2, but getting a sitdown with top brass at hotels — which are essentially multinational corporations — is easier said than done.

Whereas Brown may have been able to hash out agreements behind closed doors, labor negotiations in the modern era are a trickier proposition. Ted Waetcher, a communications director for Unite Here, said the union expects the strike to continue into Christmas, and plans are being made to host a toy drive and meal, with a special visit from Santa.

PANETTONE-DEAF: It was supposed to be a celebration of former Supervisor Catherine Stefani on Dec. 6 at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, with a group of lawyers raising a glass to the legislator as she heads off to the state Assembly. 

The $150-a-pop luncheon, hosted by the Italian American Bar Association of Northern California, kicked off with 11 a.m. cocktails and honored Stefani with the group’s annual Golden Panettone award. But the celebration turned a bit awkward after one union boss’ remarks. 

Tony Delorio, a leader at Teamsters Local 665, suggested that Stefani overcame discrimination in winning a seat long held by Asian Americans. Then — at least according to our tipster — Delorio quipped that there was “some Ting Wong” with Stefani being told not to run because of her ethnic background. The phrase harkens back to a scandalous incident in 2013 when Bay Area newscasters listed fake, racist names of pilots purportedly involved in the crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214.

Delorio had an explanation: Speaking to Power Play, he made clear he did not say “some Ting Wong,” because “that would be racist as shit if I said that.” 

Instead, Delorio said, he did his best to clearly enunciate the word “wrong” so people would understand his little joke — ”some Ting wrong” — was meant to reference the former assemblymember Phil Ting. Stefani “was told by the incumbent terming out, ‘how dare she run,’ and ‘that’s an Asian seat,’” Delorio told Power Play. At the luncheon, “I just said she persevered.” 

In a statement, Stefani said she condemned “any insensitive remarks” made about Ting and thanked him for his service in the state Legislature. “Let me be clear: Personal attacks make it harder for us to work together to deliver the results our neighborhoods need and deserve,” the statement said.

Ting noted that, “Everyone has a right to run for office,” and now that Stefani has won, he’s “happy to make her as successful as she can be.” As for Delorio? Ting said, “If Tony has issues with me, he knows where to reach me.”

Got tips? Send us an email at powerplay@sfstandard.com or text/call (415) 408-7504.

RONEN’S NEXT ACT: After eight years as one of the Board of Supervisors’ leftiest members, Mission District Supervisor Hillary Ronen is over it. She said as much last year, telling the Chronicle she “no longer [likes] the job” and is “really excited I’m going to be done in a year and a half.” In January, Ronen is no doubt relieved to pass the torch to Supervisor-elect Jackie Fielder. 

What’s Ronen’s next adventure? She told Power Play she plans to work in artificial intelligence after leaving office. Specifically, she’ll work with a South Bay organization to advocate for the technology’s responsible use in underserved communities. Then, Ronen plans to move to Spain for a year while continuing to work on the issue. 

After that? Ronen says she’s thinking about Spain and nothing beyond. We get it: After so many years embroiled in San Francisco politics, a year of siestas, tapas, and leisurely glasses of Rioja must sound pretty nice. 

RECALL COMMITTEE: The recall campaign against Supervisor Joel Engardio, who pushed Proposition K to close the Great Highway, is humming along. Proponents formed a political committee called "Our Neighborhood, Our Future Supporting the Recall of Supervisor Engardio," which will soon be able to accept donations to pay for signature gathering.

Vin Budhai, a leader of the recall movement, was confident the group will get donations not just from west side denizens but from San Mateo County residents who rely on the Great Highway.

However, it won’t be easy. Despite generating buzz during election season, the "No on K" campaign struggled with fundraising. Notably, Neighbors for a Better San Francisco, the big-money moderate group and largest donor in the “No on K” campaign, has already indicated it will not support the Engardio recall.

Meanwhile, Engardio's office is undergoing personnel changes. Two staffers are departing, including Chief of Staff Tita Bell, who will join  Supervisor-elect Danny Sauter's office. Power Play has learned that Engardio has already hired replacements for the positions.

HIGHWAY TO HELL, NO: If you didn’t watch The Standard’s interview with District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, you’re missing out. The wide-ranging chat touched on her possible run for attorney general and the impact of President-elect Donald Trump on fentanyl prosecutions.

But we also touched on San Francisco’s biggest lightning rod. No, not public safety — we’re talking about Prop. K, of course. Does Jenkins herself have a position on the hot-button highway measure? 

She replied with a story: During the election, she was campaigning at a booth in the Sunset, wedged between people from “Yes on K” and “No on K.” A campaigner with “Yes on K” asked her point blank if she had an opinion. “I looked at him and said, ‘I absolutely don’t. My lane is public safety. and I’m going to stay in it.’” When we pressed her, she replied with a laugh, “My ballot is my business.” 

PELOSI HOSPITALIZED: Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi is recovering from a hip replacement after suffering a fall in Luxembourg. She reportedly fell while descending a marble staircase at the Grand Ducal Palace.

SFMTA BOSS EXITS: Jeff Tumlin, director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, is expected to announce his departure at Tuesday’s SFMTA board meeting. In an interview, Tumlin acknowledged that transportation debates have become increasingly polarized: “This is a time of tremendous division,” he said.

LURIE’S FIRST HIRES: Lurie announced three key hires to his City Hall office, appointments that suggest he’s likely to orient his administration around business interests and form even closer ties with Gov. Gavin Newsom. Lurie is also focused on the troubled corridors near Union Square: On Sunday, he was seen walking on Sixth and Howard streets towards Market Street, flanked by police brass.