Blackwater Mine Camp Workers Ratify First Contract, Securing Major Wage Gains

Prince George, B.C. — Camp hospitality workers at the Blackwater Mine have ratified their first collective agreement with a unanimous vote, concluding months of negotiations and establishing significant improvements to wages and working conditions.

The agreement covers approximately 77 ATCO Frontec employees, including housekeepers, cooks and other kitchen workers who staff the remote work camp located approximately four hours outside Prince George. Bargaining began in May of this year, marking the first time the group negotiated a union contract. The workers are represented by UNITE HERE Local 40.

Under the terms of the new agreement, workers will receive wage increases of more than $7 per hour, including retroactive pay, during the contract term. The settlement also introduces union benefits and a travel stipend, a key issue for workers who commute long distances to the remote camp site. The contract term is through 2027.

The agreement reflects growing expectations among remote-site hospitality staff for compensation aligned with the difficult demands of camp work.

 “I’m proud of what we gained in this contract.  A room attendant will be making $25.12 by the end of the contract, which means our pay is beginning to reflect the value of the hard work we do,” said Amina Farah, a housekeeper at the camp.

Workers at the camp provide essential services that support daily operations at the Artemis Gold-owned Blackwater Mine, preparing meals, maintaining accommodations, and ensuring the camp remains functional for the broader workforce on site.

“We won major wage increases plus benefits that were overdue in our camp. These jobs are challenging and far from home, but this contract gives us the stability we need to support ourselves and our families,” said Nathan Sykes, a 1st Cook at the Blackwater Mine site.

UNITE HERE Local 40 has organized over 1,000 remote hospitality and support-service workers in northern British Columbia in recent years.

Media Contact: Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785.

Press Release – Airport Worker Union to Jacksonville City Council: End Partnership with Paradies Lagardère at Jacksonville International Airport

UNITE HERE Local 40 sent a letter on Friday to Jacksonville City Council, raising concerns about the Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s (JAA) partnership with airport concessions operator Paradies Lagardère. JAA will be awarding a new Retail Concessions contract on November 17th, for which Paradies is one of the applicants.

The letter outlines a series of issues related to Paradies Lagardère’s performance and compliance record at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) and other airports across North America. UNITE HERE notes that Paradies received the lowest score of all bidders—2.33 out of 5—on the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) criteria in the JAA’s evaluation process, signaling inadequate engagement with small, disadvantaged businesses in Jacksonville.

UNITE HERE Local 40 also highlights past labor and management concerns at Paradies-operated locations. The company previously settled a federal class-action lawsuit for unpaid wages and missed meal breaks involving over 3,000 airport workers across eight airports, including Tampa International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Workers at Vancouver International Airport have reported erratic scheduling practices, reduced hours after probation periods, and difficulties accessing benefits.

The letter further notes operational challenges, citing underperformance at Paradies’ JAX food and beverage locations compared to other concessionaires, as well as repeated health and safety violations documented at the company’s operations in other airports.

UNITE HERE Local 40 is urging Jacksonville City Council to:

  • Call on the Jacksonville Aviation Authority to suspend consideration of Paradies Lagardère for the Retail Concessions contract scheduled for award on November 17.
  • End Paradies’ current hold-over operation of existing retail and restaurant contracts at JIA.
  • Prioritize future concession awards to operators that demonstrate consistent operational quality, fair labor standards, and meaningful engagement with disadvantaged business enterprises.

UNITE HERE Local 40 is an affiliate of UNITE HERE, the international union representing airport and hospitality workers across North America. The union advocates for fair wages, strong labor standards, and equitable economic opportunities within the airport concessions industry.

CONTACT: Naya Holers | [email protected] | (720) 402-1273

Press Release: Coast Victoria Hotel Workers Win Historic Fight, Secure Major Wage Gains and End of Lockout

Victoria, B.C. — After a historic 77 days on the picket line, through wind, rain, and a record-breaking tourist season, UNITE HERE Local 40 members at Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA, have ratified a new collective agreement that delivers wage increases of up to 21% for hotel staff, marking a major victory for workers.  The workers’ dispute with Coast Victoria and its owner, APA Group, represents the longest hotel strike and lockout in Victoria’s history.

Nearly 90 workers – housekeepers, front-desk agents, cooks, servers, and others – voted 88% in favour of a new three-year contract that provides living wages, a wage re-opener in the final contract year, a process for addressing outstanding respect issues, and a new pension benefit, bringing the city’s longest hotel strike and lockout to a close.

“I’m so proud of our bargaining committee and what we accomplished together as a group,” said Melissa Irvine, a room attendant and member of the union bargaining committee. “We stood strong, and no one crossed the picket line. The strike and the lockout were both intense and difficult, but we didn’t give up. We fought to the end to win what we deserve.”

The lockout began after workers took strike actions, supported by over 90% of the workers, seeking living wages and better working conditions during Victoria’s most profitable tourist season in years. Rather than back down, workers turned the hotel’s front steps into a symbol of courage and determination – drawing support from community members, local unions, and elected officials.

“We stood shoulder to shoulder for 77 days – and made history. I’m very proud that we fought back and pushed as far as we could,” said Julia Lissell, a front desk agent and another member of the union bargaining committee. “Through the ups and downs, we demonstrated what is possible when workers come together to stand up for fair pay and respect at work.”

The workers’ fight spread beyond Victoria to Calgary and Chilliwack, where the hotel’s parent company APA Group operates other Coast Hotels. Supporters joined workers to rally in both cities and urged customers to support fair treatment of hospitality workers.

The BC Federation of Labour backed the workers with a boycott of Coast Victoria Hotel and its Blue Crab Seafood House, which will now be lifted following ratification of the new deal. Customers are encouraged to return to Coast Victoria and the restaurant.

Media Contact: Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785

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Media Advisory: SFU Dining Workers to Hold Demonstration and March for Living Wages

Vancouver, BC – SFU dining workers and their campus allies will be holding a demonstration on Wednesday, November 5, to demand the University become a permanent living wage employer.  SFU committed to paying living wages to contracted dining workers in the past, but the workers are paid considerably less than the Metro Vancouver living wage of $27.05 per hour.  At the same time, SFU’s top four executives have received total compensation increases ranging from $38,000 to over $89,000 since 2023, on top of their six-figure salaries.

The contracted workers, employed by Compass Group, began negotiations in January in advance of the expiry of their collective agreement in April. The workers are members of UNITE HERE Local 40.

WHAT: Protest and March at SFU Burnaby Campus

WHEN: TODAY – Wednesday, November 5

TIME: Action begins at 10:30AM

WHERE: Strand Hall, E Campus Rd., Burnaby, BC.

VISUALS: Workers, students, and faculty carrying colourful signs, holding flags, marching and chanting.

MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785

Georgian Court Hotel Workers Unionize with Local 40, Joining Growing Wave of Hotel Organizing in BC

Vancouver, BC – Workers at the Georgian Court Hotel in downtown Vancouver have voted to join UNITE HERE Local 40, the hospitality union representing hotel, food service, and airport workers across British Columbia.

Fifty housekeepers and front desk agents at the Georgian Court chose to unionize to address key concerns around heavy workloads, fair wages, and access to quality health benefits.

Negotiations for the Georgian Court workers’ first union contract will begin soon. Local 40 aims to ensure these workers secure the strong standards that have been achieved at other union hotels in Vancouver.

“We’re proud to welcome the Georgian Court workers to our union family,” said Gulzar Grewal, Vice President of UNITE HERE Local 40. “Hotel workers across the city are standing up for better standards in the industry. By joining Local 40, Georgian Court workers are taking an important step toward winning fair wages and workloads that respect their hard work.”

The Georgian Court Hotel joins a growing movement of hospitality workers organizing for change. Recently, workers at Hyatt Alberni (formerly Shangri-La) and the Marriott Vancouver Airport in Richmond also joined Local 40.

UNITE HERE Local 40 advocates for 50,000 BC hospitality workers in British Columbia, including hotel, airport, and camp workers for fair wages, secure jobs, and strong workplace rights.

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