>> reporter: julia i'm inside the workers union hall where voting has just wound down. about over half of the will 00 eligible hilton workers today cast this ballot. the results won't be in for another hour and a half or so but the folks we have talked to say they have overwhelmingly voted to authorize the strike. even as they greeted guest and aided tourists workers at san francisco's hilton hotel in union square this afternoon were gearing up for a possible strike. >> to get a fair deal we've got to stay outside as long as we can. i mean that's -- and we're ready for it. >> it's health care, it's pension, it's wages, and it's the right to organize, it's, you know, basically workload. >> reporter: 9,000 employees at 60 san francisco hotels have worked without a contract for 13 months. union leaders say today's strike vote aimed to put pressure on hilton and encourage other hotels to make a deal. the union says the hotels can afford to settle because san francisco bookings and rates are up for a third consecutive month. >> our patience has run out and it's time to get o

[somber music] ♪ on july 9th, we held a memorial service at the union hall. find any words to say. then we put the bodies on a couple of flatbeds, two more trucks for the flowers, then an honor guard with american flags and union banners, and we marched up market street, 15,000 longshoremen, dark suits, bare heads, marching eight abreast in silence, and 50,000 people watching in silence. all you could hear was the shuffle of feet, and way up the front was a little union band playing some beethoven. there was nothing else. >> a river of men flowing up market street like cooling lava, the solemn strains of dirges and hymns, unaccountable thousandof spectators lining the street with uncovered heads, overhead, a brilliant sun in a cloudless sky. in life, they wouldn't have commanded a second glance on the streets of san francisco, but in death, they were borne the length of market street in a stupendous and reverent procession that astounded the city. >> it was one of the strangest and most dramatic spectacles that has ever moved along market street. its passage

outcome could have been much worse even deadly and recently uncovered audio recording the fire union says city hall was warned by deputy fire chief that cutbacks called dynamic deployment could force an eight to tenfold increase in loss of life and property if a fire extends beyond the root of origin. >> public information officer was sitting there and he gasped and said the public will never accept that. you can't say that. >> reporter: that pio told nbc bay area he doesn't remember saying those words. his boss, the city manager, told the city council her office will investigate the claim but warned -- >> what appears to be from my quick read a discrediting campaign around dynamic deployment. >> reporter: the back and forth accusations continued. >> this is a fact that was never disclosed to the public during this budget cycle. dynamic deployment is a scheme designed by the city administration. >> it's rhetoric. it's political season. it's exaggeration, however you want to cast it. you have to sort out the facts. >> reporter: the fact is it's become a bitter labor battle and stuck in the middle ar

live in oakland and reggie camorra's for kron4 news >> in san jose firefighter union leader blames city hall with the folding information from the public. at a news conference today the union says that to the fire chief warrant the city manager's office about the potential negative aspect of the response time. >> we feel compelled to inform the public of the tree and tax of transparency, openness and honesty. there needs to be an independent evaluation to determine who has this information and why it was withheld from the public. >> union says that city it crashed ahead with the firefighters slashes even though when city officials on the record sank the public should never affect service cuts that would lead to a potential loss of life. the firefighter claims are exaggerating. they knew it would be a big impact in homage firefighters would be affected. >> it is sunny skies here end to most of the bay area and we still have a couple slivers the fog came into the close on. here's a we can teach expect there to marker debacle current and by tomorrow morning it is clear and mild conditions. temp

. >>> baltimore police union has unveiled another billboard targeting city hall pension channels. the billboard reads baltimore police and firefighters stand by our oath to protect you and your families despite city hall turning its become on us. the billboard is in downtown baltimore on the east side of interstate 83 south. changes in the pension system were fit into place last month. the unions have filed a suit in federal court to challenge legality of those changes. the police union's billboard red welcome to baltimore home to a mayor and city council who turned their backs on police and firefighters and gained huge public attention. >>> annapolis budget isn't looking so bright for the new year. according to the annapolis capital. the city will be more than $200,000 in the hole by the start of 2011. the city would move to find some way to pay its bills until revenue begins arriving later in january. mayor joshua cohen and the city council slashed millions from the city's budget back in june. the government's point person on the gulf oil spill says the well that blew out will s

union square. venue operators to come to city hall and talk within which it with him about what could be done, so approximatelynew operators talked to the mayor, members of the staff and myself and mr. crenshaw. this was a reaction to the weekends incidents, -- weekend's incidents, and we talked about how to further professionalize the industry and avoid these things in the future. it has been a tough summer, as you know, and the mayor showed a commitment, i think, to this by spending more than 1.5 hours reaching for his cell phone at all and was completely attentive, discussing best practices and ways in which the city, including the police department, the entertainment commission, and his office, could step up to promote a safer night live, in general. the mayor asked for a draft document of best practices by the first of september, and a small group of us, including myself and some members of the command staff and a few industry representatives it, have been meeting to create that draft, as well as a short list of what they are calling recommended security-related conditions that they intend to present to y

and european union delegations out of the assembly hall all together he claimed nine eleven was an inside job by america as a middle. most people believe that some segments within the u.s. government has traded the attack to reverse the decline in the u.s. economy and his grip in the middle east in order to save the zionist regime. may have lost some of his audience inside the halls but he continued the conversation in public where you're smiling do you believe or started that the government had a head about eleven and what seemed like interviews with almost every network and you had a captive audience on the street or did they have going activist to protest against his visit almost daily i mean. pomp and circumstance aside ahmadinejad said he may return to the negotiating table if the security council plays nice iran has always be ready for a dialogue based on respect and justice and the international community warned of where an escalation in the conflict could lead and these forces used against iran i believe this would be the shortest way to the radicals in their own. prevailing and d

baltimore's police union and fire union may continue to let people know exactly how they feel about the city hallsion changes. the most recent blackboard reads baltimore police and firefighters stand by our oath to protect you and your families, despite city hall turning its back on us. the billboard is downtown in baltimore, on the east side of interstate 83 south. changes in the pension system were put into place last month, the union's have now filed suit in federal court to challenge the legality. the police union and fire union, they previously had a billboard up called welcome to baltimore, city council turns its back on police and firefighters. >>> yeardley love played lacrosse, tickets must be purchased in advance to benefit the yeardley love benefit field. >>> adam jones gets a home run here and brad ferguson pitched a complete game, one-run jam to secure the sweep over the blue jays. the orioles win 3-1. they have now one nine. how did they last 11 games? the yankees come in for a weekend series. >>> timothy dean is being forced to sell his restaurant in foreclosure. it'll go up for auc

hall. and it's about unions. >> yes, i lead a foundation called big task weekend.ive action for social reform. it seems to me the union issue can't be ignored. it's a divide that that has to be closed. the question is, what advice do do you have? we have individuals like steve bar from the green dot, which has managed to facilitate some collaboration with unions. last night we heard, of course, from d.c. where they haven't done so well. what specific advice do you have so we can actually bridge this divide and stop the arguments? >> well the arguments get the attention because it's controversial. the media doesn't acknowledge the hundreds of boards working together. we had in 12 wins states and through 36 states that applied to race to the top, we had hundreds of unions sign onto bold reform. whont to do the r t for adults but more importantly children whether you look at delaware, d.c., pittsburgh. 80% of the teachers voted for the contract. they wanted something better and different. what we can do better is better spotlights. better highlights. we love the media

of his win, he viewed to be inclusive, promised to hold town hall meetings to find out what citizens want. supporters, including some union leaders, see new hope and like the tone gray is setting. >> what we vex picturation about -- expectations about is we will be included in decisions in this city. >> we were excluded for four years. >> gray said he won't be turning back the clock on school reform and refused to say whether he would keep or fire the school's chancellor michelle rhee and is making personnel decisions after the general election. >> my understanding is chancellor rhee made statements already that she could only work for this mayor. i don't know if it matters what we think. clearly there does need to be a transition. >> reporter: vince gray said he got an early-morning phone call from mayor fenty who is pledging his complete support in the transition. he also said that he put in a phone call to michelle rhee that set in a meeting to talk to her and caught a -- got a phone message from the white house and it was not from president obama will. >>> and now mayor fenty is done with politic for now and won't run

. >>> baltimore police union continues to let people know exactly how they feel about all the pension issues and changes going on at city hall. the most recent billboard reads baltimore police and firefighters stand by our oath to protect you and your families despite city hall turning their back on us. the billboard is on the east side of interstate 83 south. the changes in the pension system were put into place last month. the unions have filed a lawsuit in federal court to challenge legality of those changes. the police union's previous billboard read "welcome to baltimore, home to a mayor and city council who turn their backs on the police and firefighters." >>> all right, well, one stevenson university student is in stable condition this morning at an area hospital with a suspected case of bacterial meningitis. according to a statement issued by the school, other students who have been exposed and identified, have been treated preventatively. bacterial meningitis can be contagious and deadly if it gets to you. >>> after 12 straight losses, the orioles couldn't beat toronto this year. last three, no problem at all. the o

hall has done to us. we're going to continue to keep our promise to protect the citizens of the city. >> reporter: the firefighters and police unionsfiled a lawsuit against the city at this point but there seems to be some willingness to talk. it's unclear whether that's going to happen. >>> and wjz will keep you posted on the outcome of the lawsuit. >>> thousands of local jobs are on the line tonight as workers wait for the outcome of the steel mill. >>> the president of the steel workers union says the russian owner of the plant plans to idol operations. a spokesperson for the russian company says it's not certain how many jobs will be cut. >>> new tonight a discovery 16 million years in the working. and it was found in the clay. a fossilized skull of an he an exsting the dolphin. >>> house guests, now homeless, how a fire destroys one contestant's home. >>> a former steps down from his duties. the allegations one woman is making. >>> i always say you are my hero because it's hard. >> reporter: dr. jill biden is in maryland today. why she's on a mission to improve education next. >> reporter: looks like a great weekend shaping up

hall meeting airs on cnbc. the cable channel says the live studio audience of about 200 people will be a cross section of america, from college kids and union members to business owners and retirees. live in washington this morning, i'm kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. mindy, back to you in baltimore. >> hey, kate, the president's town hall comes the same week we're expecting to get some economic reports. what can we expect in those reports, any good news? >> that's what investors and regular people are hoping for, so there's reports due out in the housing market this week, including data on new and existing home sales. in the last few months, as you know, we have seen home sales fall to the lowest level that we've seen in decades. obviously a lot of people are watching and hoping that these reports will show the numbers have turned around. >> let's hope so. kate amara live in washington, thank you. >> meanwhile, maryland democratic senator ben cardin is weighing in on the controversial bush-era tax cuts. yesterday he joined our lisa robinson to talk about what will likely be a big issue at the ballot box in november. though the tax breaks were

promised to hold weekly press conferences and regular town hall meetings emsays he will be transparent and accountable. supporters including some union leaders say see new hope. >> what we have expectations about is we will be included in decision making in this city. we were excluded for almost hour years. >> i want you to know how humbled i am with the victory last night and with the trust that has been vested in me by the voters. >> reporter: laura evans, fox 5 news. >>> one big question here. will convince be the gray keep schools chancellor michelle rhee. she says he -- he says he won't make any personal changes until after the general election. >>> we still have plenty ahead. weather, traffic and all of your top stories. fox 5 morning news at 4:30 starts right now. >>> good morning on this thursday, september 1 as we take a live look over the washington monument this morning. mild temperatures out there again this morning. shouldn't be too bad for your morning commute. i'm sarah simmons in for gurvir dhindsa. welcome to fox 5 morning news. let's get right to tucker barnes with the latest on the weather. another nice day if you

>> budget battle firefighter rate in jerkies in city hall with all the information from the public soon. a news conference yesterday that the unionid the deputy fire chief warrant the city manager bob petition potential negative impact in regards to lots of fire companies to lay off. >> we feel compelled to inform the public of the true impact of cutting the services. trans. a consensus in part of our demands. there needs to be an independent evaluation, to sherman who had disinformation and why was withheld from the public. for >> city press ahead with the layoff 49 firefighters. even the one in city official is on record saying the public would never accept service crops that would lead to an increase of life loss of property. >> doctor accused of sexually assaulting three female patients is 10 years for more than in prison. the doctor how high the practice of most of speaking spanish people patients. he was charged in convicted last may of sexually assaulting three women during called it exams. >> conservative legal group a strike force gov. schwarzenegger, to defend california's gay marriage ban in court. the pacific justice

. >> union bank has put its global financial strength to work for a wide range of companies. what can we do for you? >> there is one stage that is the met and carnegie hall. >> o, that this too, too solid flesh -- >> it is the kennedy center. >> check, one, two. >> and a club in austin. >> it is closer than any seat in the house, no matter where you call home. >> the top of the world, and i'm there, i'm home.

so having a more expansive union movement would be healthy for labor and for everyone else. host: richard hall tweets in, what about the disparity between union bosses and the workers they supposedly support? guest: well, i suppose, by disparity he means income disparity, and i'm sure many of them are extremely well compensated. that would be part of this broader trend, which has been to say, for people at the top of all organizations, we're going to pay them a lot more. and again, not only are we going to pay them a lot more, but we're going to tax them at a much lower rate on what they're being paid. so i think that is, you know, that's a fair point. host: leslie on the republican line in burlington, north carolina. go ahead. caller: hello. good morning. host: good morning. guest: good morning. caller: ok, first of all, everyone loves to say $700 billion of taxes that are going to be left in the hands of the people that are making the actual income over $250,000 a year. that's wonderful. will you please tell people that it's $300 billion -- well, $3 trillion for the 10 years, for the income