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FEATURE PROFILE: Feature from the FALL 2024 ISSUE of STAY Magazine
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Hotel Grand Pacific workers deliver strike mandate, B.C. hotel worker unrest reported across province
Hotel workers at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria have voted 92 per cent in favour of strike action, after negotiations stalled in May.
The employer has reportedly failed to return to the bargaining table, according to Kathleen O'Keefe, Communications Director, Unifor. The approximately 160 members of Unifor Local 114 work in a variety of departments, including housekeeping, front desk, maintenance, reservations, Fathom restaurant, the Courtyard Café, and the banquets department. Hotel Grand Pacific is a 4-star hotel situated next to the Legislature in Victoria.
Unrest among hotel workers across British Columbia escalates during summer 2024
The summer of 2024 in British Columbia has been marked by significant unrest among hotel workers, particularly in Metro Vancouver, as multiple strikes and labour disputes have erupted across the province's hospitality sector. The unrest highlights ongoing tensions over wages, working conditions, and job security amidst soaring living costs.
Workers at several prominent hotels—including the Hyatt Regency, Westin Bayshore, Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, and the Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver—have mandated or participated in strikes over the summer.
Workers have cited frustration over stagnant wages that fail to keep pace with the rising cost of living in Metro Vancouver, where it reportedly takes an hourly wage of $43 to afford a two-bedroom apartment.
Some of the strikes were short but impactful, including a one-day walkout at the Hyatt Regency in July, which disrupted services at the luxury hotel. Workers at this hotel have been without a contract since 2022, and despite the hotel's record revenues, negotiations over a new contract have been stalled since early 2024.
Broader Impact and Responses
The unrest has not been confined to Vancouver. Similar actions were reported at other major hotels across the province, where workers have been pushing for higher wages, reduced workloads, and better benefits.
In response to the strikes, the BC Federation of Labour has called for boycotts of affected hotels.
The labour disputes are unfolding against a backdrop of record hotel revenues in Vancouver, which reached nearly $1.4 billion in the previous year. However, workers argue that this financial success has not translated into fair compensation for those whose labour underpins the industry. Many workers are demanding wages that reflect the escalating costs of living in one of Canada's most expensive cities.
As the summer progresses, the situation remains fluid, with ongoing negotiations and the potential for further strikes. The outcome of these disputes could have lasting implications for the hospitality industry in British Columbia, potentially setting new standards for wages and working conditions in the sector.
This summer's unrest underscores the broader struggles of low-wage workers in high-cost urban centres and could influence labour relations in other industries facing similar pressures. As negotiations continue, the eyes of the labour movement and industry stakeholders across Canada are closely watching the developments in British Columbia.
Sources:
- CityNews Vancouver
- Business in Vancouver
- Global News
- UNITE HERE Local 40
- Unifor
