Winchester Mystery House Guides Stage One-Day Strike

Tour guides at San Jose’s Winchester Mystery House staged a one-day strike, accusing management of bypassing collective bargaining by asking employees to sign waivers allowing their images to be used in marketing. The Teamsters Local 856 members are seeking a first contract with better wages, health care and longevity benefits, and protections or credit for use of their likenesses; some also seek tipping rights. They are pressing for smaller tour groups, citing ventilation, room-size and stairway safety concerns in the historic mansion. The union says negotiations have continued for more than a year, and management had not responded to some outlets’ requests for comment.