Workers at the Fairmont Empress Hotel have ratified a new four-year collective agreement that includes wage increases, enhanced mental health coverage and stronger workplace protections. Members of Unifor Local 4276 approved the agreement on June 8 following negotiations with the Victoria hotel. The new contract provides a 17.75 per cent wage increase over its four-year term, along with expanded mental health benefits and improved paramedical and vision coverage. “Hospitality workers are the backbone of the industry. Their work must be respected and recognized in their
collective agreements,” Unifor National President Lana Payne said in a news release. “We’re proud of the Unifor members at the Fairmont Empress who bargained hard for strong improvements.” The agreement also includes gains in vacation entitlements and sick leave, as well as new provisions aimed at protecting workers from abuse by hotel patrons while on the job. Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle said the bargaining process was challenging but resulted in significant gains for members.
Fairmont Empress, Unifor Local 4276, collective agreement, wage increase, mental health coverage, paramedical coverage, vision benefits, sick leave, vacation entitlements, workplace protections, patron abuse
17.75% sounds nice.
Mental health coverage is at least a step in the right direction, I guess. But why does it take a whole deal to make that normal?
So they got pay hikes and “protections” from patrons… does that mean like they can call security more or what. I feel like hotels already don’t care unless there’s a lawsuit.
Not to be dramatic but if people are abusing workers at a fancy place that’s wild. Also 4 years for a contract feels long like the price of everything will go up again before the next one. I saw another post that said wages barely changed anywhere lately, so idk if this is real big or just normal union stuff.