Laurel Point’s “Wedding Advisory” comes to an end.
Inn at Laurel Point workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 40, have won a new contract that raises wage and benefit standards at the hotel. Under terms of the new agreement which was overwhelmingly ratified on June 21st, Inn at Laurel Point workers will receive:
• Wage gains of 3%, 2.5% and 2.5%, respectively, for most workers during each year of the agreement;
• Fully retroactive wage increases;
• Improved eligibility for medical coverage to 20 hours/week;
• New paramedical, dental and vision benefits;
• Protection against reductions in benefits and changes in cost by the employer;
• Renovation recall rights in the event of future hotel remodeling; and
• A process to address outstanding workload issues.
This agreement comes in the wake of months of protests and actions at the Inn at Laurel Point. Community groups, religious leaders, politicians, local unions, and local Victoria businesses demonstrated their support for the workers through delegations, rallies and other actions.
The new agreement also brings the to an end a “Wedding Advisory” issued in May to educate prospective wedding customers about working conditions at the hotel.
“At a time when the hospitality industry is generating record revenues, this agreement represents significant economic gains and an opportunity for our members at the Laurel Point to share in the industry’s success,” said Robert Demand, President of UNITE HERE Local 40.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2017-06-29 14:39:502017-06-29 14:39:50Inn at Laurel Point Workers Ratify 3-Year Collective Agreement
Overworked employees at top wedding destination — Inn at Laurel Point – ask management, “Where’s the Love?”
– Housekeepers launch appeal to wedding planners and couples –
Wedding season is upon us, but workers from the Inn at Laurel Point are not feeling the love. Laurel Point hotel workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, and their community supporters held a press conference on Friday May 26th, issuing a “Wedding Advisory” to inform prospective newlyweds about unfair working conditions at the high-end hotel.
The Inn at Laurel Point is a popular wedding destination for young couples looking to tie the knot. While the Inn promotes itself as a socially responsible hotel, workers describe a different story behind the scenes. Laurel Point housekeepers report having to work through their breaks. Bellmen are expected to unclog toilets on top of carrying baggage.
“We all made concessions during the recession years, enduring high workloads and skeleton crews while the hotel was saving money. Now that we are in a tourism boom, I would like to see that goodwill come back to us,” says Susanne Kunert a worker at Aura, the hotel’s in-house restaurant.
A number of unions and community groups turned out to support the workers, including the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Professional Employees Association, BCGEU, Together against Poverty Society, and the faith based Kairos Victoria were all on hand for the announcement.
“I want to extend our solidarity to all of the staff, and to let management know that if these issues persist, we will have discussions with Local 40 before we book this hotel. We don’t want to support a business that doesn’t treat workers fairly,” said Sussanne Skidmore, Executive Vice President of the BCGEU.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2017-06-05 12:35:222017-06-05 12:35:22Wedding Advisory Issued for the Inn at Laurel Point
Overworked employees at top wedding destination — Inn at Laurel Point – ask management, “Where’s the Love?”
Housekeepers launch appeal to wedding planners and couples
WHAT: Wedding season is upon us, but workers from the Inn at Laurel Point Inn are not feeling the love. Laurel Point hotel workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, and their community supporters will hold a press conference this Friday, issuing a “Wedding Advisory” to inform prospective newlyweds about unfair working conditions at the high-end hotel.
WHERE: Inn at Laurel Point Hotel, 680 Montreal St, Victoria.
WHEN: Friday, May 26 @ 12:00pm.
WHO: Inn at Laurel Point workers and local community & religious allies.
WHY: The Inn at Laurel Point is a popular wedding destination for young couples looking to tie the knot. While the hotel promotes itself as a socially responsible hotel, workers describe a much different story behind the scenes. Laurel Point housekeepers, primarily immigrant women, report having to work through their breaks. Bellmen are expected to unclog toilets on top of carrying baggage.
For months, workers have appealed to hotel managers for fairer treatment, but their concerns have gone unanswered.
Now Laurel Point hotel employees say they’re fed up with chronic under-staffing and unfair treatment. In response, they’re issuing a Wedding Advisory to inform wedding planners, vendors and prospective newlyweds about second-class treatment of workers at the Inn at Laurel Point.
VISUALS: Workers in uniform with signs saying, “Inn at Laurel Point: Where’s the Love?”
For more information, please contact Octavian Cadabeschi at 604-813-2105 or [email protected].
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2017-05-24 13:47:302017-07-27 10:57:25***Wedding Advisory for Inn at Laurel Point***
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2017-04-20 14:07:432017-04-20 14:09:34Upcoming: UNITE HERE Local 40 Membership Meeting
Burnaby, BC – SFU dining hall workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, have reached an agreement with incoming food service contractor, Sodexo. The agreement reached Thursday night means that all 174 dining hall workers will be rehired, with their seniority and wages intact. Sodexo also agrees to offer equivalent health care and pension benefits to what workers currently hold. The agreement also ensures the workers’ union will be voluntarily recognized by the company on May 1.
“We are happy that we resolved our main concerns with Sodexho – that our jobs are safe and our union will be recognized. Now, we look forward to working on our contract,” said Bruna Padularosa, a deli worker in Mackenzie Cafe who has worked at SFU for 29 years.
The agreement comes after weeks of actions held by workers and students demanding that SFU and Sodexo rehire all workers and recognize their years of service. Dining hall workers received an outpouring of support from students, faculty and campus staff in the fight to retain their jobs.
“Cafeteria workers at SFU just won the first round of their fight. They have shown the SFU Administration that vague promises aren’t good enough. More than that, they have taught the rest of us how to organize–and just how much power we have when we do,” said George Temple, a PhD student and member of TSSU.
“From the beginning, we have said that the only acceptable transition is one in which SFU and the new contractor not only commit to hiring the existing workers, but to recognize their years of service, and keep their health care and other benefits,” said Robert Demand, President of UNITE HERE Local 40. “This agreement puts us on a positive path with Sodexo,” said Demand.
The dining services contract was recently awarded to Sodexo. Sodexo will be replacing current food vendor, Chartwells, on May 1.
While dining hall workers were resolving issues with Sodexo, they voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike in response to Chartwells’ failure to fairly compensate workers over the last school year. The issue must be resolved before Chartwells leaves on April 30. The workers’ contract expired last August.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2017-03-24 16:48:142017-03-24 16:49:19SFU dining hall workers secure job guarantees from incoming contractor
Inn at Laurel Point Workers Ratify 3-Year Collective Agreement
Inn at Laurel Point workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 40, have won a new contract that raises wage and benefit standards at the hotel. Under terms of the new agreement which was overwhelmingly ratified on June 21st, Inn at Laurel Point workers will receive:
• Wage gains of 3%, 2.5% and 2.5%, respectively, for most workers during each year of the agreement;
• Fully retroactive wage increases;
• Improved eligibility for medical coverage to 20 hours/week;
• New paramedical, dental and vision benefits;
• Protection against reductions in benefits and changes in cost by the employer;
• Renovation recall rights in the event of future hotel remodeling; and
• A process to address outstanding workload issues.
This agreement comes in the wake of months of protests and actions at the Inn at Laurel Point. Community groups, religious leaders, politicians, local unions, and local Victoria businesses demonstrated their support for the workers through delegations, rallies and other actions.
The new agreement also brings the to an end a “Wedding Advisory” issued in May to educate prospective wedding customers about working conditions at the hotel.
“At a time when the hospitality industry is generating record revenues, this agreement represents significant economic gains and an opportunity for our members at the Laurel Point to share in the industry’s success,” said Robert Demand, President of UNITE HERE Local 40.
Wedding Advisory Issued for the Inn at Laurel Point
Overworked employees at top wedding destination — Inn at Laurel Point – ask management, “Where’s the Love?”
– Housekeepers launch appeal to wedding planners and couples –
Wedding season is upon us, but workers from the Inn at Laurel Point are not feeling the love. Laurel Point hotel workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, and their community supporters held a press conference on Friday May 26th, issuing a “Wedding Advisory” to inform prospective newlyweds about unfair working conditions at the high-end hotel.
The Inn at Laurel Point is a popular wedding destination for young couples looking to tie the knot. While the Inn promotes itself as a socially responsible hotel, workers describe a different story behind the scenes. Laurel Point housekeepers report having to work through their breaks. Bellmen are expected to unclog toilets on top of carrying baggage.
“We all made concessions during the recession years, enduring high workloads and skeleton crews while the hotel was saving money. Now that we are in a tourism boom, I would like to see that goodwill come back to us,” says Susanne Kunert a worker at Aura, the hotel’s in-house restaurant.
A number of unions and community groups turned out to support the workers, including the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Professional Employees Association, BCGEU, Together against Poverty Society, and the faith based Kairos Victoria were all on hand for the announcement.
“I want to extend our solidarity to all of the staff, and to let management know that if these issues persist, we will have discussions with Local 40 before we book this hotel. We don’t want to support a business that doesn’t treat workers fairly,” said Sussanne Skidmore, Executive Vice President of the BCGEU.
***Wedding Advisory for Inn at Laurel Point***
Press Advisory – May 24, 2017:
Overworked employees at top wedding destination — Inn at Laurel Point – ask management, “Where’s the Love?”
Housekeepers launch appeal to wedding planners and couples
WHAT: Wedding season is upon us, but workers from the Inn at Laurel Point Inn are not feeling the love. Laurel Point hotel workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, and their community supporters will hold a press conference this Friday, issuing a “Wedding Advisory” to inform prospective newlyweds about unfair working conditions at the high-end hotel.
WHERE: Inn at Laurel Point Hotel, 680 Montreal St, Victoria.
WHEN: Friday, May 26 @ 12:00pm.
WHO: Inn at Laurel Point workers and local community & religious allies.
WHY: The Inn at Laurel Point is a popular wedding destination for young couples looking to tie the knot. While the hotel promotes itself as a socially responsible hotel, workers describe a much different story behind the scenes. Laurel Point housekeepers, primarily immigrant women, report having to work through their breaks. Bellmen are expected to unclog toilets on top of carrying baggage.
For months, workers have appealed to hotel managers for fairer treatment, but their concerns have gone unanswered.
Now Laurel Point hotel employees say they’re fed up with chronic under-staffing and unfair treatment. In response, they’re issuing a Wedding Advisory to inform wedding planners, vendors and prospective newlyweds about second-class treatment of workers at the Inn at Laurel Point.
VISUALS: Workers in uniform with signs saying, “Inn at Laurel Point: Where’s the Love?”
For more information, please contact Octavian Cadabeschi at 604-813-2105 or [email protected].
Upcoming: UNITE HERE Local 40 Membership Meeting
Our next meeting will be held on:
Wednesday, April 26
5pm
SFU Harbour Centre, Room 2495
515 West Hastings Street (Vancouver)
All members welcome to attend.
SFU dining hall workers secure job guarantees from incoming contractor
Burnaby, BC – SFU dining hall workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, have reached an agreement with incoming food service contractor, Sodexo. The agreement reached Thursday night means that all 174 dining hall workers will be rehired, with their seniority and wages intact. Sodexo also agrees to offer equivalent health care and pension benefits to what workers currently hold. The agreement also ensures the workers’ union will be voluntarily recognized by the company on May 1.
“We are happy that we resolved our main concerns with Sodexho – that our jobs are safe and our union will be recognized. Now, we look forward to working on our contract,” said Bruna Padularosa, a deli worker in Mackenzie Cafe who has worked at SFU for 29 years.
The agreement comes after weeks of actions held by workers and students demanding that SFU and Sodexo rehire all workers and recognize their years of service. Dining hall workers received an outpouring of support from students, faculty and campus staff in the fight to retain their jobs.
“Cafeteria workers at SFU just won the first round of their fight. They have shown the SFU Administration that vague promises aren’t good enough. More than that, they have taught the rest of us how to organize–and just how much power we have when we do,” said George Temple, a PhD student and member of TSSU.
“From the beginning, we have said that the only acceptable transition is one in which SFU and the new contractor not only commit to hiring the existing workers, but to recognize their years of service, and keep their health care and other benefits,” said Robert Demand, President of UNITE HERE Local 40. “This agreement puts us on a positive path with Sodexo,” said Demand.
The dining services contract was recently awarded to Sodexo. Sodexo will be replacing current food vendor, Chartwells, on May 1.
While dining hall workers were resolving issues with Sodexo, they voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike in response to Chartwells’ failure to fairly compensate workers over the last school year. The issue must be resolved before Chartwells leaves on April 30. The workers’ contract expired last August.