Coast Victoria Hotel Workers Vote 93% in Favour of Strike for a Living Wage

Victoria, B.C. – Workers at the Coast Victoria Hotel and Marina have voted 93% in favour of strike action. They are demanding a living wage that reflects the high cost of living in Victoria. The 90 workers are represented by BC’s hospitality union, UNITE HERE Local 40.

“Coast workers voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike because they’re not keeping up with the high cost of living in Victoria. The hotel should pay people a living wage so they can afford to live in their own city,” said Harj Aheer, Local 40 Representative for Vancouver Island.

The living wage in Victoria is now estimated at nearly $27 per hour, while many hotel workers continue to earn far less – despite the rising cost of housing, food, and transportation.

Coast Victoria Hotel workers have been in bargaining since February. This overwhelming strike mandate sends a clear message to hotel management: workers are united and ready to take action for wages that meet today’s economic realities.

UNITE HERE Local 40 represents approximately 5,500 hospitality workers including hotels, airports, camp service, and food service workers across the province, and has recently secured major gains for all workers in these areas.

Media Contact: Rifat Islam, [email protected], 604-619-0798