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Turkey's At Fisherman's Wharf?
Cont.

By Ka Ponda

Beneath the billows of clouds that painted the gloomy sky at Fisherman's Wharf members of the Living Wage Coalition shouted out chants of protests as a mob of police circled them. The protestor's voices resonated from Alioto's to Lou's restaurants as their noses were drowned in the succulent fragrance from the heap of crabs outside of Fisherman's Grotto #9 Restaurant.

Leading the chants was a mystery woman inside a turkey costume which represented the theme of the action. The turkey had been extended the privilege of giving a Certificate of Dishonor in the First Annual Turkey Award for Worst Labor Practices by a Restaurant to six restaurant owners. The impassioned voice of Supervisor Sue Bierman echoed every utterance muttered by the turkey. As the fervor of the crowd reached a crescendo, the turkey defied the threat of rain and began its walk to the first recipient of the Certificate of Dishonor award, and the remainder of the Living Wage Coalition filed behind it.

Suddenly the turkey was violently seized. The body of the turkey struggled to extricate itself as employees of Fisherman's Grotto #9 Restaurant watched in disbelief. A policeman quickly admonished the owner of the restaurant that no law had been violated either by the turkey or members of the Living Wage Coalition. Furthermore, he stated that using battery to resolve differences was the only violation of the law at that time. The turkey regained its poise and promptly gave the well earned Certificate of Dishonor to the owner of the Fisherman's Grotto #9 Restaurant.

"What do we Want?" A clamorous turkey cried.

"A Living Wage," replied members of the Living Wage Coalition, as they followed the turkey to the next battle.
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"We're restaurant workers," exclaimed turkey.

"Fighting back!" chanted the members of the coalition in response.

"We're fish packers," the turkey continued.

"Fighting back," responded the members.

"We're retail clerks," stated the turkey.

"Fighting back," was heard as the members of the Living Wage Coalition chimed in as their march led them to Alioto's Restaurant.

By now the word had apparently gone out to the various restaurants owners to expect a visit from the Living Wage Coalition because someone had been awaiting our arrival. Also, apparently someone had told the owners that our cause was overwhelmingly favored by Board of Supervisors President, Tom Ammiano and Mayor Willie Brown, since the representative at Alioto's Restaurant seemed congenial as he listened to the information before the turkey presented him with his Certificate of Dishonor.

The site of the chef at Pompei's Grotto waiting to receive the certificate signified a moral victory and, indeed, H&N Fish and Lou's restaurants were also given certificates without contention.

The action carried the turkey, police, Living Wage Coalition and others from Pier 39 to Pier 45 and, after 105 minutes, the turkey and its contingent arrived back at where the aroma of the assortment of outdoor seafood had first captured everyone's noses.
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