The labour dispute between a Burnaby hotel and its workers may be nearing an end as a tentative deal has been reached.
Unite Here Local 40, the union representing Hilton Metrotown workers, says a tentative deal was struck between the two parties at 1 a.m. this morning (May 10).
The union said the hotel locked out room attendants, front desk agents, banquet, and kitchen staff on April 16, 2021, after terminating 97 long-term staff, impacting at least 50 workers who live in Burnaby — a move the union called "mass firings" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
But hotel disputed the claim, saying workers were actually on strike and employees were free to return to work at any time, with no pre-conditions.
Unite Here Local 40 spokesperson Stephanie Fung had told the NOW in April that if employees returned to work, it would be conditional and included giving up union health and pension benefits, paid time off and workload protections that protect health and safety.
Fung says workers will vote to ratify the new collective bargaining agreement on Wednesday (May 11) and if approved, a process for returning to work would begin on Thursday (May 12).
