Fairmont Empress Hotel workers vote 97% in favour of job action

Workers at the Fairmont Empress Hotel have given their bargaining committee a strike mandate, citing lack of progress at the bargaining table.

On Friday night, Unifor’s Local 4276 voted 97 per cent in favour of job action if negotiations with the employer do not go well.

“The Fairmont Empress is a top-tier hotel and its workers deserve respect and fair compensation. It is a leader in the industry, and we expect the collective agreement to lead the way,” said Lana Payne, national president of the union. “The employer must come to the table prepared to bargain a fair contract that reflects the critical contribution of hotel workers.”

No strike deadline has been set. The union is required to give 72 hours’ notice of job action.

Unifor said the main issues are wages and housekeeping workloads, saying that injuries on the job can be a common result of unrealistic work assignments. Since COVID began, it has been a struggle for many hotels to retain staff.

“B.C. has built a worldrenowned tourism industry around a solid hospitality sector led by facilities like the Fairmont Empress,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor’s western regional director. “A fair contract will ensure hotel workers at a key site in the capital will earn a fair wage and improve workplace health and safety.”

The union represents 400 workers at the hotel.