New Agreement Ratified by Striking Vancouver Hotel Workers at Three Hotels

– Brian Sproule –

On October 15 negotiators of UNITE HERE Local 40, representing striking hotel workers at the Westin Bayshore, Pinnacle Hotel Harbour Front, and the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, reached a tentative agreement with negotiators for the hotel owners. The agreement was ratified by the hotel workers on October 16, ending the strike at these hotels.

The new contract provides for wage increases over four years, workload reductions for room attendants, workplace safety improvements, job security and protection from on the job sexual harassment. “With this contract we have achieved a new standard in the hospitality industry which will improve the lives of not only our own members and their families, but the lives of all hotel workers in Vancouver,” stated Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40.

Congratulations poured in from other unions and community organizations. “Amazing News! Congratulations to Vancouver hotel workers for reaching a deal. Collective action works!” states the Writers Guild of America. “Congrats to Unite 40 members. Strikes Work! One more hotel to go,” writes the Vancouver Tenants Union.

While celebrating the achievement of a tentative agreement for three hotels, members and officials of UNITE HERE Local 40 vow to continue the strike at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia whose owners have refused to meet with the union for several months. Workers employed there are members of a different bargaining unit of UNITE HERE.

Meanwhile the hotel has obtained a court order banning picketers from using sirens, drums, air horns, whistles, noise makers, speakers and megaphones, and playing pre-recorded music or messages louder than 75 decibels, measured six metres from the source, effectively banning their use.

The union web site states “Hotel Georgia ON STRIKE! We will continue to picket from morning to evening, through the rain and cold, until all our members get the contract they deserve! When you pick a fight with the union you pick a fight with all its members. […] We will be here until there’s a contract won here as well.”

Local 40 president Zailda Chan stated “I’m very proud. This strike has changed all of us. It’s changed every striker on the picket line. It tells the hotel: don’t underestimate us.”

Renewal Update visited the picket line at the Hotel Georgia on October 16, and spoke with hotel workers, including those from the other hotels who have augmented the line. One picketer told RU that while he is happy with the tentative agreement and wants to return to work, he is not going to abandon his fellow workers.

As a result of the court order severely limiting picketing activities only token picketing was taking place in front of the hotel on Georgia Street, but around the side under shelter from heavy rains, a long line of pickets and tables were in place. Drumming continued in defiance of the injunction but not as loud as before. When copies of RU No. 31 were presented to the picket captain she proudly pointed to her picture on the front cover, shouting slogans through a bull horn.

Brian Sproule is the MLPC candidate in Burnaby South.

This article was published in:

Renewal Update No. 39, October 19, 2019

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New Agreement Ratified by Striking Vancouver Hotel Workers at Three Hotels – Brian Sproule