Workers at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown have ratified a new collective agreement after nearly 20 months without a contract.
Members of Unite Here Local 40 voted 96 per cent in favour of a new contract last week. The two-year contract will see workers get a $1.45-per-hour wage increase over the term of the agreement and will preserve room-attendant workload standards. The new contract also ensures enhanced job security in the event of a sale or subcontracting or leasing in the workplace, according to a press release.
“We are so happy that we were able to keep our workload the same. Housekeeping is very hard work, and we fought very hard to keep our standard. Thank you to all of the unions and politicians that supported us in this struggle,” said Hilton room attendant Delia Labrador, in the release.
In February, workers rallied outside the hotel to draw attention to a then 18-month stalemate in contract negotiations between the union and hotel management.
More than 200 people turned out for the event on Feb. 23, which Unite Here Local 40 organized, hoping it would pressure management to settle the workers’ contract. Following the rally, the union and hotel management agreed to go to mediation.
