Hotel workers whose 2004 strike and subsequent lockout by employers crippled The City’s tourism industry have shied away from the word “strike” during their current contract negotiations.

Until now.

“It’s a definite possibility,” said Riddhi Mehta, spokeswoman for Unite Here Local 2. “I can’t say yes or no right now, with how terrible negotiations have been going, it’s possible.”

Negotiations between the union and management at San Francisco’s major hotel chains — Hilton, Hyatt and Hilton – have been ongoing since August. Union members say the hotels have proposed cuts to wages and benefits. Hotel management points to the economic downturn and the drastic drop in hotel revenue.