856 at the Palace hotel

TEAMSTERs: Taka Katsui, Jose Lopez, and Scott Rideout 

Worksite: Palace Hotel, San Francisco

Years on the job: 72 (collectively)

Job titles: Front Desk (Taka & Scott); Concierge (Jose)

Getting Started: "I studied business management in Fresno and after I graduated I moved to San Francisco. A friend suggested that I try working in the hotel business. I worked at the front desk at the Clift Hotel—it was my first five-star experience. It was very exciting and I loved it. I left to study French for two years and then started working here at the Palace. Every day is completely different—you never know what you're going to get asked. I'm a member of Les Clefs D'or, an international professional association of hotel concierges. To be admitted, your hotel general manager has to sponsor you and you have to pass a series of tests. It's pretty exclusive, there's only about 750 us all over the world. Each year we meet in a different city. Last year it was Dubai. This year, it's Berlin. It's very exciting to network and meet with my colleagues. It's my passion, I love traveling. I feel like I've found my true calling. I'm very lucky." —Jose Lopez

On Customer Service: "We're always doing our best to make a lasting, memorable experience. If you really love what you do, and you're touching someone's heart, you're successful. Treat others as you would want to be treated—it's an old saying, but I believe it with all my heart and soul." —Scott Rideout

Going the extra mile: "There was a young Japanese couple who had their car towed from outside the hotel. I was just getting off of work and translated to them what had happened. They were really upset and didn’t know what to do. I drove them to the police station and car impound lot so that they could pay the fine and retrieve their car. It was very expensive for them, but they were so grateful. I felt like they were my own kids and wanted to take care of them." —Taka Katsui

On being Teamsters:  "I'm a Teamster, and I'm proud. Aside from our benefits, we get dignity and respect. Things aren't just going to slide by. I worked at a non-union hotel, and with a union, there's a  better quality of life. Without a union, management will put on a show that they care about you, but at the end of the day, it's always going to be their decision. With a union, we have someone to speak up for the average 'Joe'. I'm very grateful for what I have. I'm a very lucky guy." —Scott Rideout