Workers at four prominent San Francisco hotels ended a two-week strike Wednesday, but the hotels said they would continue to lock out the employees until a contract settlement is reached.

Members of the Unite Here union, escorted by local religious leaders, tried to return to their jobs shortly after midnight Wednesday but were rebuffed by security guards.

The four hotels, along with 10 others in their bargaining group, locked out union workers Oct. 1 in retaliation for the strike that began two days earlier.

Matthew Adams, vice president of San Francisco Multi-Employer Group, which represents the 14 hotels, said they were continuing the lockout because they couldn't risk the possibility of another strike and had to ensure their ability to serve guests. The hotels are continuing operations with replacement workers.

A union spokesperson on Wednesday called the continued lock-out "an unfortunate escalation" of the contract dispute, which centers on the union's demand for a two-year contract. The hotels want a five-year deal.

Despite the continued rancor, both sides are expected to resume contract talks as early as today.

The four hotels that had been struck are the Argent, Hilton San Francisco, Crowne Plaza Union Square and Intercontinental Mark Hopkins.