Striking downtown Vancouver hotel workers reach tentative deal

Strikes may be over at four upscale hotels in downtown Vancouver, as the union announced a tentative contract agreement. But as @IsabelleRaghem reports, workers at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia are still picketing.

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A tentative deal has been reached between the union representing approximately 1,500 workers and four hotels in downtown Vancouver.

UNITE HERE Local 40 made the agreement Tuesday morning with Westin Bayshore, Hyatt Regency, Pinnacle Harbourfront and Four Seasons hotels.

Workers for the Rosewood Hotel Georgia are still on strike.

RELATED: Hotel worker strike continues at Vancouver hotels

In a press release, the union says workers will see wage increases over the next four years, new protections against sexual harassment, stronger job security for room attendants, kitchen and restaurant workers, and maintain health insurance.

“Our strike has made the changes we need in the hotel industry! I’m very happy about the workload reductions for room attendants,” Teresita Gonzales with Pinnacle Habourfront hotel writes in a press release.

“The job security we’ve won is also great for our members, our families and will keep our union strong. I’m very proud of our members, we’ve picketed through rain and cold weather for this fight, and we feel united and strong with this tentative agreement reached.”

RELATED: Singh walks picket line with striking hotel workers in Vancouver

Workers at some hotels went on strike at the end of August after wage negotiations fell through. Support for workers facing sexual harassment was a key issue, as well as on-the-job safety.

On Monday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh joined hotel workers in a demonstration during a campaign stop in Vancouver.

The BC Federation of Labour recently called for a boycott of four of the five hotels to support workers.

Union member were asked not to cross picket lines, with some high-profile bookings being cancelled.

– With files from Marcella Bernardo and the Canadian Press

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