A group of law professors introduced the resolution and are urging attendees to boycott events at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square — one of three hotels hosting the meeting — because the hotel is engaged in an ongoing dispute with Unite Here! Local 2, a union representing unskilled and lightly skilled hotel workers. AALS scrambled to move most of the larger events to the two other locations, although a number of sessions are still being held at the Hilton. Most of Thursday’s scheduled programs moved ahead in the absence of some speakers who elected not to participate because of the dispute.
The resolution was the most contentious issue during the meeting of the House of Representatives, which comprises delegates from the 171 AALS member schools. After more than 30 minutes of debate, it failed on a vote of 61 against to 24 in favor; 46 schools abstained from voting. Several delegates requested a secret ballot, citing intense pressure from proponents, opponents and law school deans, but Gary Peller, a professor at Georgetown University Law Center and a driving force behind the resolution, requested a roll call vote.
