Hyatt hotel workers walk off job in Vancouver in one-day strike
Posted July 16, 2024 3:10 pm.
Last Updated July 16, 2024 6:54 pm.
The union representing hotel workers at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Vancouver says members walked off the job Tuesday morning, as part of a one-day strike.
UNITE HERE Local 40 says those taking part in the picket line include room attendants, front desk agents, cooks, dishwashers, and other workers at the hotel, located on Burrard Street just north of Georgia Street.
The union says workers are “frustrated with the company’s failure to address wages that keep up with Metro Vancouver’s insanely unaffordable housing costs and inflation,” noting the hotel charges guests between $500 and $1,200 a night for rooms.
“It takes $40/hour to live in Metro Vancouver. Hyatt and other Vancouver hotels are charging astronomical room rates, cutting back services, and expecting workers to accept less while they’re being squeezed daily by the rising cost of living. Hotel workers are professionals in a key sector of our local economy who deserve to earn enough to live in Metro Vancouver,” said union President Zailda Chan.
According to the union, the workers’ collective agreement expired in 2022, claiming there have been no negotiations with the company since February of this year.
In a statement to CityNews, Michael D’Angelo, head of labor relations at Hyatt in the Americas, says the company’s “purpose is to care for people so they can be their best.”
“Our colleagues are the heart of our business, and their wellbeing is always a top priority. Hyatt has a long history of cooperating with the unions that represent our employees, including UNITE HERE Local 40,” he said.
D’Angelo claims a meeting between the company and union had been scheduled for Wednesday prior to the decision to issue strike notice.
“We are disappointed that UNITE HERE Local 40 has chosen to strike while Hyatt remains willing to negotiate. We have presented a fair CBA inclusive of strong wages, free family health care and a pension for employees and remain committed to bargaining in good faith. At this time, UNITE HERE Local 40 has not presented a counter to the hotel’s offer,” D’Angelo added.
–With files from Joe Sadowski
