Below is a note from our friends at the BC Federation of Labour.
On Friday, October 4, 2019 the BC Federation of Labour held a strike coordination call concerning the dispute between Unite Here and four downtown Vancouver Hotels – Hyatt Regency Vancouver, the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, the Westin Bayshore and the Hotel Georgia.
How can you help?
Unite Here will be holding a large scale mobilization on Thursday, October 10th at 5 pm at The JW Marriott Parq at 39 Smithe St. Please begin mobilizing your staff and members to attend this important event. Bring your union flags and show that the labour movement is supporting hotel workers. To move negotiations ahead, it is important to show growing and strengthening support for the workers.
Sign up on the Facebook event here:https://www.facebook.com/events/1167453446790816/ (Please take careful note of the location. The rally is beside BC Place Stadium)
Picket lines are up at the Hyatt, Westin, Hotel Georgia and Pinnacle Hotels from 7 am to 7 pm. Please encourage your members to visit picket lines and show support for striking workers.
Background:
Approximately 1200 members have been on the picket lines for three weeks. Major issues include wages, protection from sexual harassment, and scheduling. Talks are currently stalled so increased pressure is needed to get back to the table. The four employers use the same bargaining representative. Three bargain through a master agreement. The Hotel Georgia has a separate agreement.
The employer has lost decisions at the LRB regarding the use of replacement workers. However, the employer continues to take legal action of various forms complaining about noise and impeding entrance to the hotel. The Pinnacle hotel has established a large barrier around the hotel entry to restrict space for picketing.
Rallies are being regularly held to bring attention to the dispute. Workers are leafletting, holding meetings, running flying pickets and taking leadership on the picket lines. On Thursday, October 3 hundreds of workers and supporters rallied in support of workers and shut down Georgia Street for 15 minutes during the height of rush hour.
Contact:
To coordinate picket line support please contact Unite Here directly through Harley Agustino at 604-838-9677.
For questions about BCFED support contact Denise Moffatt at 778-228-3124.