Archive for category: News

Press Release: Inn at Laurel Point Workers avert strike, increase their wages by 20% or more

Victoria, BC – UNITE HERE Local 40 members at the Inn at Laurel Point have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new collective agreement last night. Workers voted 98% in favour of the contract, securing significant wage gains to meet the rising cost of living in Victoria. Workers bargained a wage increase of 20% or more from June 2022 – February 2026.  By the end of the new contract, Cooks will earn 25% more in wages over the previous agreement, while Room Attendants will earn 26% more.

Under the new contract, the tipped workers achieved improvements to protecting their gratuities. These new protections give servers, bartenders, banquet staff, room attendants and bellstaff the right to review records to ensure management correctly pays automatic charges and credit/debit card tips and it prohibits management creating tip pools. Front Desk staff won unprecedented protections of their sales commissions.

“Getting the contract we want means that I am better able to support my family. The team here at Laurel Point – the housekeepers, front desk agents, banquet workers, restaurant servers, kitchen staff and other departments – are what keeps this place an amazing place to work and stay. I’m very proud that we all stuck together to attain a living wage, given Victoria’s high rate of inflation. I hope this inspires other unions and workers to demand what is fair and just for them as well,” said Aaron Walters, a server at Inn at Laurel Point’s Aura Restaurant

The contract win for Inn at Laurel Point workers averts a strike and ensures they will continue to provide four-star service to guests during the busy tourist season. Workers had issued 72-hour strike notice on April 27 after months at the bargaining table.

“The workers are happy and relieved to come to an agreement. We were fortunate to have a strong group of organizers and committee to achieve this fair result,” said Harj Aheer, front desk agent at the Inn.

 

Media Contact: Sharan Pawa, 604-710-1693, [email protected]

BREAKING: Ramada Prince George workers vote in favour of strike

Workers at Ramada Prince George voted 87% in favour of strike action last night. Now without a contract for over 10 months, Ramada Prince George workers are considering taking job action, up to and including a strike, to secure wages that allow them to keep up with the rising cost of living. The 35 workers, including housekeepers, banquet staff, front desk agents, and the hotel’s Starbucks food service workers, are represented by UNITE HERE Local 40.

Wages at the hotel range between $17-18 per hour, significantly less than the living wage required to support a family in Prince George at $21.19.

“This is about securing a standard that will allow us to live comfortably so that we are not struggling as individuals. This is about separating the gap between what we’re making and what’s a realistic living wage,” said Monisa Boudreau, a housekeeper at Ramada Prince George.

Many Ramada Prince George workers were hired during the COVID-19 pandemic, putting themselves on the frontlines to serve guests. Currently the hotel is not offering any food or beverage service and is understaffed, with heavy workloads placed on its workers. Despite sacrifices made during the pandemic and consistently maintaining high standards for guests, Ramada workers’ jobs are not sustainable at their current wages.

“I’ve worked at the Ramada for over a decade and I’m still struggling to pay my bills. Me and my co-workers deserve a living wage,” said Vanessa Farley, a housekeeper at Ramada Prince George for 11 years.

“I always put 100% into my work, and right now I feel as though I’m not being fairly compensated for it at the Ramada. We’ve tried compromising with the owners but at this point the amount that we’re asking for is the amount that we need to survive,” said Maria Drabinasty, a cleaner at Ramada Prince George for 13 years.

Picket lines could go up any time after workers issue 72-hour strike notice.

Media Contact: Sharan Pawa, 604-710-1693, [email protected]

BREAKING: Workers at Powell River Town Centre Hotel vote in favour of strike action

Workers at Powell River Town Centre Hotel have voted 76% in favour of strike action. Town Centre Hotel workers are struggling to keep up with the cost of living and demanding fair wages from their employer. The 35 workers have been in contract bargaining for over a year with no resolution in sight. The workers, room attendants, kitchen staff, servers, and front desk agents, are represented by UNITE HERE Local 40.

Powell River’s cost of living has skyrocketed in recent years. The current living wage is $23.33, but Town Centre Hotel workers earn far less. With hotel wages starting at $17 per hour, the hotel is facing challenges retaining staff. Town Centre hotel workers are struggling to support their families, pay rent, and save for their future.  Despite brisk business at the hotel, management is refusing to pay workers a living wage.

“Gas and groceries here in Powell River are increasing constantly. We pay extra here than anywhere else simply because of where we live. Everything we have in our stores comes in on freight or through the ferries. Because of this and inflation, most of us can barely get by. I enjoy where I work and I love my bosses and coworkers. I think I speak for everyone when I say we really need living wages where we work”, said Tyler Stieben, cook at Powell River Town Centre Hotel.

Picket lines could go up any time after workers issue 72-hour strike notice.

Media Contact: Sharan Pawa, 604-710-1693, [email protected]

Press Release – BREAKING: Inn at Laurel Point Workers Issue 72-hour Strike Notice

Over 100 workers prepare to strike one of Victoria’s premier hotels

Victoria – Inn at Laurel Point workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, issued 72-hour strike notice to management late yesterday. Workers will be in a legal strike position as of 3pm Sunday afternoon. This comes after workers voted 97% in favour of strike on Monday. Picket lines could go up at the high-end harbourfront hotel next week as the busy travel season restarts.

Workers are seeking a living wage to make hotel jobs sustainable and to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of rent and groceries in Victoria. Business at Inn at Laurel Point is bustling, yet staff are falling behind in wages. Workers are juggling heavy workloads in order to provide the 4-star service that the guests expect.

“I want to feel valued and be paid what I’m worth. I’ve committed 21 years to this hotel because I enjoy working with guests, but I don’t feel respected by management. We’ve tried working with management for nearly two years, but they don’t seem to care.  They’re spending money on renovations and branding but not investing in our staff who deliver top notch service,” said Harj Aheer, front desk agent at the Inn.

Although the Inn at Laurel Point promotes itself as a social enterprise focused on the well-being of people and the surrounding community, workers have spent nearly two years at the bargaining table and attempts at mediation. Management refuses to adequately address workers’ need for cost-of-living increases. The Inn undertook a $10 million renovation recently and has plans for future renovations and expansion. Pay for most hotel staff falls short of Victoria’s living wage of $24.29.

“I’m currently working 3 jobs to support my children and pay rent. I didn’t have to work multiple jobs 10 years ago, but today, I’m living paycheque to paycheque. A living wage would make it easier for my family to save for our future. I need this job to be sustainable for me, and my children,” said Aaron Walters, a server at Inn at Laurel Point’s Aura Restaurant

Media Contact: Sharan Pawa, 604-710-1693, [email protected]

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

Media Advisory: Strike looms as workers vote in favour of taking job action at Inn at Laurel Point

Strike looms as workers vote in favour of taking job action at Inn at Laurel Point

Workers at Inn at Laurel Point, one of Victoria’s premier hotels, voted 97% in favour of strike action last night. The hotel’s room attendants, kitchen staff, servers, and front desk agents, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, could soon be hitting the streets just as Victoria’s tourist season welcomes back thousands of cruise ship visitors to the capital city. Picket lines could go up any time after workers issue 72-hour strike notice.

Despite more than two years at the bargaining table and attempts at mediation, Laurel Point management has refused to significantly raise wages so workers can afford the cost-of-living in Victoria. The hotel business is bustling again at the 4-star hotel, with room rates between $300 to $1,100 per night. Yet, workers’ pay lags behind Victoria’s living wage of $24.29.

“We voted to take strike action because Laurel Point management doesn’t value the work we do every day. We deliver 4-star service to our guests, but with the cost of living increasing in Victoria, how are we supposed to support our families on what we make?  All we want is to get a fair deal done as soon as possible so we can continue to provide our one of a kind service to our guests,” said Aaron Walters, a server at Inn at Laurel Point’s Aura Restaurant.

Media Contact: Sharan Pawa, 604-710-1693, [email protected]

UNITE HERE Local 40 is BC’s hospitality workers’ union and represents members in the hotel, food service and airport industries throughout British Columbia.