Hilton Metrotown workers rally for higher wages

Hilton Metrotown hotel workers are gathering Friday evening to hold a rally pushing for higher wages, one week after their collective agreement expired.

Zailda Chan, president of UNITE HERE Local 40, says the union’s main concern is affordability.

“We have room attendants making $22.88 currently,” she said. “That is not a livable wage anywhere in the Lower Mainland, much less in Burnaby.”

She says other concerns include better benefits and the return of concessions that were made during the pandemic, including overtime pay.

Chan says the workers are prepared to take more job action if their demands aren’t met.

“As the summer begins and it starts to get busier and busier, our actions will become more and more disruptive to the day-to-day operation of business,” she said.

She says that the Burnaby hotel industry is thriving, with room rates running between $400 and $500 on average, all the way up to $700 or more during special events.

The workers have been bargaining with the Hilton Metrotown for the past six months.