Breaking: Locked out Hilton Metrotown Workers Reach Tentative Agreement

Burnaby, B.C. — Hilton Metrotown workers locked out one year ago reached a tentative agreement at 1AM this morning after two days of mediation. Workers will vote to ratify the new collective bargaining agreement tomorrow, Wednesday May 11. If approved, the labour dispute will end on Wednesday and a process for returning to work will begin on Thursday.

More details to come after ratification.

For additional information, please contact:
Stephanie Fung, 604-928-7356, [email protected] or Michelle Travis, 778-960-9785, [email protected]

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UNITE HERE Local 40 is the hospitality workers’ union and represents members in the hotel, food service and airport industries throughout British Columbia. Learn more at UniteHereLocal40.org.

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SFU Food Service Workers Reach Union Contract

160 food service workers at Simon Fraser University secure deal including up to 17% wage increases

Burnaby, B.C. — SFU food service workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40,  have ratified a standard-setting union contract with Compass Group by over 85% YES vote. Some food service employees will be earning close to 17% wage increases over the next three years. With this new agreement, workers will receive the biggest raises in the history of SFU, ultimately getting them to a living wage.

The union bargaining committee achieved their collective agreement after workers held a button-up action and rallied at SFU just a few weeks prior. As inflation across the lower mainland has dramatically risen over the years, the new contract provides a living wage and improved working conditions for over 150 workers. 

Along with historic wage increases, workers will see improvements to their medical benefits, a process for discussing access to SFU benefits — as accessed by direct SFU employees — and stronger recall protections in case of natural disasters or emergency situations such as COVID-19 so no one loses seniority due to stoppage of business.

“I’m proud that SFU food service workers came together and fought hard to win what we deserve,” said Nouha Ishaq, a food service worker at SFU for 17 years. “It feels good to know people will have more money in their pockets. We don’t know later on what the future will bring, but for now we did our best together as a union. We were persistent in this fight and showed we’re not giving up to create a better future for food service workers. I look forward to going back to work and serving the university community!”

“Thanks to Compass Group for being able to bargain with us effectively through the pandemic,” said Zailda Chan, president of UNITE HERE Local 40. “Food service workers are valued members of the SFU community and we’re glad that Compass Group recognized this in the end.”

Media Contact: Stephanie Fung, 604-928-7356, [email protected]

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UNITE HERE Local 40 is the hospitality workers’ union and represents members in the hotel, food service, and airport industries throughout British Columbia. Learn more at UniteHereLocal40.org.

Job Posting: In-House Union Lawyer – Vancouver

OVERVIEW

UNITE HERE Local 40 is a progressive, movement-based labour union working to improve labour standards in the hospitality sector.  Based in Vancouver, we advocate for over 50,000 union and non-union hospitality workers employed in hotels, universities, airports, and remote camps throughout British Columbia.  Local 40 is an affiliate of UNITE HERE, an international labour union that represents 270,000 working people across North America.  Reflecting the needs of our membership, our union is at the forefront of efforts to defend the rights of immigrants, people of colour, and women in the workplace and in the political sphere.

We seek an in-house union lawyer to join our legal team.  The In-House Union Lawyer will be responsible for developing and implementing creative legal strategies to help workers organize and win better working conditions and benefits.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Local 40’s legal strategies are interwoven with and designed to support its broader efforts to organize and empower workers.  The In-House Union Lawyer will work with integrated teams of organizers, researchers, and communicators to advance the Union’s campaigns for workplace justice.  The In-House Union Lawyer’s primary job responsibilities will be to:

  • Investigate, develop and litigate cases to vindicate the rights of workers in non-union workplaces, both in court and before administrative tribunals
  • Represent the Union in enforcing worker rights won through collective bargaining, including in mediations and arbitration hearings, and assisting in the collective bargaining process
  • Advise staff and leadership on campaign strategies and tactics
  • Develop and advocate for municipal and provincial laws to benefit workers in such areas as improving wages, ensuring race and gender pay equity, and preventing sexual harassment and assault
  • There will be a 12 month probation period

QUALIFICATIONS

UNITE HERE Local 40 anticipates hiring counsel with 2 to 4 years of litigation experience for this position.

Required

  • Member in good standing or eligible for membership in the Law Society of British Columbia
  • Excellent research, writing, analytic and speaking skills
  • Ability to prepare briefs and other written materials for administrative, court, and arbitration proceedings
  • Ability to present persuasive arguments in administrative, court and arbitration hearings
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage numerous ongoing cases and projects
  • A creative mindset, strong initiative, and the desire to advance innovative strategies to support worker organizing
  • A demonstrated commitment to civil, labour and human rights and racial justice

Desired

  • Familiarity with the labour movement or workplace justice campaigns
  • Experience working within immigrant communities

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume, cover letter, a legal writing sample, and three references to [email protected] with the subject title “Union In-House Lawyer Position”

DEADLINE

Open until filled.

BENEFITS

  • Salary based on experience (range $100,000 to $120,000)
  • Medical, dental, STD, life insurance
  • This position is confidential and excluded from membership in the staff bargaining unit.

SFU Workers Hold Protest: “Don’t we Deserve a Living Wage too?”

Burnaby, BC — Today, food service workers at SFU and community allies demonstrated on campus to urge Chartwells, a dining services contractor, to pay them a living wage as they resume contract bargaining. Just three weeks earlier, 160 food services workers wore red “Living Wage NOW!” buttons on their uniforms. With inflation soaring across the lower mainland and the impact of Covid reducing hours of work and instigating safety concerns, SFU food service workers are fighting for a living wage, safer workloads, and the same benefits as direct SFU employees.

“I’ve worked at SFU for almost two decades but I’m making $17.50 an hour, it’s ridiculous. I feel like we are being treated as if we’re second-class citizens. Food service workers help keep the campus running. We’re the ones who feed the students, professors, and larger community every day. We need a living wage now!” said Nouha Ishaq, a food service worker who worked at SFU for 17 years.

“The City of Burnaby has been certified as a Living Wage Employer and SFU is one of the largest employers in Burnaby, yet people who work there can’t even pay their bills. It’s time that Chartwells and the university take responsibility to ensure that food service workers on campus get a living wage,” said Jade Ho, a PhD student at SFU and Contract Worker Justice coalition member.

Workers have been bargaining with the company over the past several weeks. However Chartwells’ proposal is still far short of the living wage. The workers and the company are discussing future negotiations and planning to get back to the bargaining table next week.

For more information, please contact: Stephanie Fung, 604-928-7356, [email protected], or Michelle Travis, 778-960-9785, [email protected].

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UNITE HERE Local 40 is the hospitality workers’ union and represents members in the hotel, food service and airport industries throughout British Columbia. Learn more at UniteHereLocal40.org.