Kitimat, BC – Camp culinary and housekeeping staff have unanimously ratified a new collective agreement with Compass Group ESS. The workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, serve crews at Rio Tinto’s operation in Kitimat.
Kemano Staff House workers secured industry leading wages among other gains. Housekeeping attendants will earn nearly $30 per hour, and cooks will make nearly $35 per hour, with additional future increases. They will also receive improvements in individual and family health care benefits and greater workload protections. The new agreement expires in 2027.
“Kemano workers, like other remote workers, work very hard on long rotations away from home. We are proud that together we continue to raise wages and working standards for camp workers in northern B.C. so they can support themselves and their families,” said Robert Demand, Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 40.
The union recently ratified new camp agreements for workers at Crossroads, Cedar Valley Lodge, and LNG janitors in Kitimat in the past month. UNITE HERE Local 40 represents over 600 camp workers in Kitimat.
Harrison Hot Springs, BC — Yesterday, Tyson Koch, Harrison Hot Springs Village’s Chief Administrative Officer, requested that community members stop sending emails related to the ongoing labour dispute at Harrison Hot Springs Resort (HHSR). This request comes after nearly 100 residents and community allies participated in a letter campaign that raised concerns about short-staffing, rising living costs for workers, and inadequate service at the resort. In addition to resort management, the emails were directed towards local government officials who are liaisons to the Harrison Tourism Society, including those from Village of Harrison Hot Springs, District of Kent, and Fraser Valley Regional District.
Koch responded with concerns about the volume of messages received. Allan Jackson, a Harrison Hot Springs Village Councilor, received over 40 emails in one week, which Koch called “excessive.” Koch stated that the Village Council and staff intend to remain neutral in the ongoing negotiations.
“The request from the village to cease communication on such an important community issue is concerning,” said Willy Pederson, a resident and worker at HHSR. “Harrison Hot Springs Resort plays a vital role in the local economy. The working conditions of resort workers is directly linked to the experience of visitors and, by extension, local businesses that depend on tourism. How is Harrison Tourism Society supposed to achieve its mission of representing the community if they are not accepting correspondence from us?”
The letter campaign highlighted the resort’s reported understaffing, which has led to service delays, including hours-long waits for basic services. The letters also called on local government representatives involved with the Harrison Tourism Society to advocate for fair labour practices and ensure the resort’s continued success.
Despite the council’s desire for neutrality, the community’s support for fair treatment of workers is strong. Many of the letters came from customers of the resort, as well as allies from across the province. The resort’s workers, who went on a three-day strike in July, remain committed to achieving a contract that reflects the rising cost of living and the value they bring to Harrison Hot Springs.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2024-10-03 12:31:242024-10-03 13:52:23Harrison Hot Springs Village Staff Asks Community to Stop Emailing About Resort Labour Dispute
Vancouver, BC — Horizon North workers at Kobes Creek Lodge and CPC Montney Lodge are the latest camp workers to unionize with UNITE HERE Local 40.
Nearly 100 culinary and housekeeping workers are employed at the remote lodges north of Fort St. John which provide workforce accommodations for natural gas project crews.
Contract negotiations will soon be underway at each lodge. Workers are seeking standards that other unionized Local 40 Horizon North members have secured. Currently, Kobes Creek Lodge and CPC Montney Lodge staff are paid $5 to-$7 less than unionized Horizon North workers earn. They are also seeking increased travel pay and affordable health benefits.
“Local 40 camp members are raising the bar for wages and working conditions in remote camps. They work on multi-week rotations away from home to provide top notch service to remote workforce crews. Workers at Kobes Creek and CPC Montney deserve the same standard that other Horizon North crews have fought for and won,” said Robert Demand, Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 40.
Over 1,000 camp hospitality workers have joined UNITE HERE Local 40 in recent years, including workers at Red Chris Mine and Sodexo at Cedar Valley Lodge.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2024-09-26 12:52:062024-09-26 12:52:06Press Release: Hospitality Workers Unionize at Two Northern BC Camps
Richmond, BC — The number of YVR Airport food workers earning living wages will soon double. HMS Host workers at YVR Airport have voted unanimously in favour of a new collective agreement which secures $25 hourly wages at Canada’s #1 airport. Last month, SSP Canada workers at YVR broke ground by securing living wages at the airport – a first for airport food workers there. The workers are represented by UNITE HERE Local 40.
Over 200 HMSHost cooks, bartenders, servers, Starbucks baristas, production and warehouse workers are covered under the agreement. Under the new contract, workers with five years of service will reach $25 this year with the rest earning that wage next year. The new contract also provides workers free parking or a transit subsidy, more affordable health benefits, additional vacation for senior employees, and other gains.
By next year, more than 400 unionized YVR Airport food workers will be earning a living wage. This sets a new standard for airport dining workers across Canada.
The Union applauds HMSHost’s approach to work together to address the stark challenges faced by airport workers grappling with the exorbitant cost of living in Metro Vancouver.
“This new agreement demonstrates the value of working in partnership with HMSHost to create family supporting airport jobs. On behalf of our airport members, we thank HMSHost for working collaboratively with the Union to create great airport jobs,” said Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40.
HMSHost operates eight outlets at YVR Airport, including Stanley Park Taphouse, Canucks Bar & Grill, Tim Hortons, and multiple Starbucks outlets.
Camp hospitality workers at the LNG Canada construction site have ratified two new collective agreements with 99% voting in favour. Workers achieved their main goal of winning job security for the future in case Phase 2 of the LNG project proceeds.
The new collective agreements ensure that should Phase 2 of the project proceed, Sodexo and Horizon North or any successor must recall the existing workers with their seniority and union contract. This will ensure continuity for existing workers, many of whom are new Canadians.
The contracts cover 500 Sodexo housekeepers, kitchen and maintenance workers employed at Cedar Valley Lodge, which houses 4,500 camp workers, as well 60 janitors employed by Horizon North who clean LNG site office facilities. The workers are represented by UNITE HERE Local 40 and IBEW Local 993.
“Hospitality workers take great pride in their work and want a secure future. On behalf of our members, we thank JGC Fluor, Sodexo and Horizon North for committing to good camp hospitality jobs,” said Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40.
Workers also secured wages and other health and retirement benefit improvements that continue to make these the best camp hospitality jobs in BC. For example, housekeepers at the camp will be earning close to $29 per hour next year.
This summer, Sodexo and Horizon workers voted 90% across the bargaining units in favour of strike action. Sodexo workers’ contract expired on July 22, while the janitors’ contract expired May 1.
UNITE HERE Local 40 has organized over 1,000 camp workers in the past few years. Most recently, workers at Red Chris Mine in the Stikine Region and CPC Montney Lodge in Peace River unionized with Local 40.
Press Release: Kitimat camp culinary staff ratify new collective agreement
Kitimat, BC – Camp culinary and housekeeping staff have unanimously ratified a new collective agreement with Compass Group ESS. The workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, serve crews at Rio Tinto’s operation in Kitimat.
Kemano Staff House workers secured industry leading wages among other gains. Housekeeping attendants will earn nearly $30 per hour, and cooks will make nearly $35 per hour, with additional future increases. They will also receive improvements in individual and family health care benefits and greater workload protections. The new agreement expires in 2027.
“Kemano workers, like other remote workers, work very hard on long rotations away from home. We are proud that together we continue to raise wages and working standards for camp workers in northern B.C. so they can support themselves and their families,” said Robert Demand, Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 40.
The union recently ratified new camp agreements for workers at Crossroads, Cedar Valley Lodge, and LNG janitors in Kitimat in the past month. UNITE HERE Local 40 represents over 600 camp workers in Kitimat.
Contact: Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785
Harrison Hot Springs Village Staff Asks Community to Stop Emailing About Resort Labour Dispute
Harrison Hot Springs, BC — Yesterday, Tyson Koch, Harrison Hot Springs Village’s Chief Administrative Officer, requested that community members stop sending emails related to the ongoing labour dispute at Harrison Hot Springs Resort (HHSR). This request comes after nearly 100 residents and community allies participated in a letter campaign that raised concerns about short-staffing, rising living costs for workers, and inadequate service at the resort. In addition to resort management, the emails were directed towards local government officials who are liaisons to the Harrison Tourism Society, including those from Village of Harrison Hot Springs, District of Kent, and Fraser Valley Regional District.
Koch responded with concerns about the volume of messages received. Allan Jackson, a Harrison Hot Springs Village Councilor, received over 40 emails in one week, which Koch called “excessive.” Koch stated that the Village Council and staff intend to remain neutral in the ongoing negotiations.
“The request from the village to cease communication on such an important community issue is concerning,” said Willy Pederson, a resident and worker at HHSR. “Harrison Hot Springs Resort plays a vital role in the local economy. The working conditions of resort workers is directly linked to the experience of visitors and, by extension, local businesses that depend on tourism. How is Harrison Tourism Society supposed to achieve its mission of representing the community if they are not accepting correspondence from us?”
The letter campaign highlighted the resort’s reported understaffing, which has led to service delays, including hours-long waits for basic services. The letters also called on local government representatives involved with the Harrison Tourism Society to advocate for fair labour practices and ensure the resort’s continued success.
Despite the council’s desire for neutrality, the community’s support for fair treatment of workers is strong. Many of the letters came from customers of the resort, as well as allies from across the province. The resort’s workers, who went on a three-day strike in July, remain committed to achieving a contract that reflects the rising cost of living and the value they bring to Harrison Hot Springs.
Contact: Nate Holers, 250-889-7682, [email protected]
Press Release: Hospitality Workers Unionize at Two Northern BC Camps
Vancouver, BC — Horizon North workers at Kobes Creek Lodge and CPC Montney Lodge are the latest camp workers to unionize with UNITE HERE Local 40.
Nearly 100 culinary and housekeeping workers are employed at the remote lodges north of Fort St. John which provide workforce accommodations for natural gas project crews.
Contract negotiations will soon be underway at each lodge. Workers are seeking standards that other unionized Local 40 Horizon North members have secured. Currently, Kobes Creek Lodge and CPC Montney Lodge staff are paid $5 to-$7 less than unionized Horizon North workers earn. They are also seeking increased travel pay and affordable health benefits.
“Local 40 camp members are raising the bar for wages and working conditions in remote camps. They work on multi-week rotations away from home to provide top notch service to remote workforce crews. Workers at Kobes Creek and CPC Montney deserve the same standard that other Horizon North crews have fought for and won,” said Robert Demand, Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 40.
Over 1,000 camp hospitality workers have joined UNITE HERE Local 40 in recent years, including workers at Red Chris Mine and Sodexo at Cedar Valley Lodge.
Contact: Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785.
BREAKING: Another 200 YVR Airport food workers win $25 living wages
Breaking: LNG Camp Hospitality Workers, Janitors Avert Strike, Win New Contracts
Camp hospitality workers at the LNG Canada construction site have ratified two new collective agreements with 99% voting in favour. Workers achieved their main goal of winning job security for the future in case Phase 2 of the LNG project proceeds.
The new collective agreements ensure that should Phase 2 of the project proceed, Sodexo and Horizon North or any successor must recall the existing workers with their seniority and union contract. This will ensure continuity for existing workers, many of whom are new Canadians.
The contracts cover 500 Sodexo housekeepers, kitchen and maintenance workers employed at Cedar Valley Lodge, which houses 4,500 camp workers, as well 60 janitors employed by Horizon North who clean LNG site office facilities. The workers are represented by UNITE HERE Local 40 and IBEW Local 993.
“Hospitality workers take great pride in their work and want a secure future. On behalf of our members, we thank JGC Fluor, Sodexo and Horizon North for committing to good camp hospitality jobs,” said Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40.
Workers also secured wages and other health and retirement benefit improvements that continue to make these the best camp hospitality jobs in BC. For example, housekeepers at the camp will be earning close to $29 per hour next year.
This summer, Sodexo and Horizon workers voted 90% across the bargaining units in favour of strike action. Sodexo workers’ contract expired on July 22, while the janitors’ contract expired May 1.
UNITE HERE Local 40 has organized over 1,000 camp workers in the past few years. Most recently, workers at Red Chris Mine in the Stikine Region and CPC Montney Lodge in Peace River unionized with Local 40.
Contact: Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785.