Under the new agreement, a room attendant will earn nearly $32.50 per hour on Jan. 1 and will make more than $37 per hour in 2027.
Workers at three downtown Vancouver hotels say they have signed a deal and will be receiving the “highest wages” for hotel employees in the country.
The deal ends a years-long strike at the Hyatt Regency, Westin Bayshore, and Pinnacle Waterfront.
Under the new agreement, a room attendant will earn nearly $32.50 per hour on Jan. 1 and will make more than $37 per hour in 2027, according to Unite Here, Local 40, the union that represents the workers.
The union says workers overwhelmingly voted in favour of this new collective agreement.
“This contract is a game-changer for us. We are proud of what our union won in this contract fight,” said Naden Abenes, a Hyatt room attendant, in a statement provided by the union.
“The new wage increases will help us afford to live in Vancouver, and other gains we made, like year-around health benefits for everyone, means we can take better care of our families without constant worry.”
Workers will also have enhanced workplace protections, including a reduction in housekeeping workload, an increase in wage premiums for those doing overnight and training work, and stronger gratuity protections, the union said in a news release Friday.
Union president Zailda Chan said the deal sets a new standard for Canada’s hospitality industry.
“The achievements in this agreement are a testament to the power of workers and the critical role Local 40 members play in the success of Vancouver’s tourism sector,” said Chan in a statement.
About 950 unionized workers at the Hyatt Regency, Westin Bayshore and Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront went on strike in 2019.
More to come …