Workers at Victoria's Fairmont Empress Hotel serve strike notice

Victoria's iconic inner harbour and Fairmont Empress Hotel. Photo: Curt Woodhall

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The union representing workers at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria has served the company strike notice.

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Unifor Local 4276 says that means workers in housekeeping, the front desk, maintenance, banquet events and other departments could be on the picket line as early as 9 a.m. on Saturday.

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The potential labour action comes just as B.C. is set to host part of the World Cup soccer next weekend.

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“Our members voted clearly for a mandate, and the employer responded with very little movement at the table,” Unifor president Lana Payne said in a statement Wednesday.

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“The time to bargain a resolution is right now.”

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Lisa McPhail, director of public relations for the Fairmont Empress, said the company would be at the bargaining table on Thursday and Friday.

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In an emailed statement, she said the hotel will continue to engage in the collective bargaining process in good faith, with the objective of reaching a mutually acceptable agreement that balances the interests of employees and the long-term operational sustainability of the property.

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“We remain optimistic and hopeful to conclude a deal by the end of this week,” she said.

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Workers voted 99 per cent in favour of a strike on April 1, according to the union.

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The union says the employer has failed to address their calls for fair wages, mental health benefits, and protections for gratuity earners.

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Trent Peek, president of Unifor Local 4276, said the union is proposing a six per cent wage increase per year for four years, with some wage adjustments for certain classifications that need an additional bump up, “because they are underpaid.”

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He said the hotel’s last offer was half of that at three per year for three years. Peek added that union members at the Hyatt Regency, Westin Bayshore and Pinnacle Hotel in Vancouver just signed a deal with 34 per cent wage increase over the life of the agreement.

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In Victoria, members at the Laurel Point Inn signed a four year deal with a 20 per cent increase, which averages at five per cent per year.

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Peek called the employer’s offer of three per cent at the most prestigious hotel on Vancouver Island unacceptable for members who are struggling with the rising cost of living.

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He said he was not optimistic about ongoing negotiations and noted that a lot of guests would be affected by a strike.

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“For FIFA guest staying at the hotel, there would obvisouly be serious disruptions with service. In addition, we have several local graduation ceremonies coming up in June with thousands of guests,” he said.

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“It would be terrible for them if we’re forced to take job action. The company has the power to stop this dispute, but only if they come to the table with a fair wage offer that our members can actually ratify.”

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Unifor represents more than 600 workers at the Empress.

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