A last-minute tentative agreement has been reached between workers and the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, averting a strike that was scheduled to begin on Saturday. The union representing the employees announced that negotiations continued past midnight and into the early hours of Saturday morning.
Details of the Agreement
Trent Peek, president of Unifor Local 4276, informed members that the bargaining committee worked tirelessly through the night to secure the best possible deal. A ratification meeting is scheduled for Monday, where workers will vote on the proposed terms.
The tentative deal comes after a strong show of solidarity from employees, with workers in housekeeping, the front desk, maintenance, banquet events, and other departments voting 99 percent in favor of strike action. Earlier in the week, the union expressed dissatisfaction with the employer's failure to address key issues, including fair wages, mental-health benefits, and protections for gratuity earners.
The Fairmont Empress Hotel, an iconic landmark in Victoria's inner harbour, was facing the prospect of a disruptive strike during the busy summer season. The agreement, reached just hours before the strike deadline, ensures that operations will continue without interruption.
Both parties have refrained from disclosing specific terms of the agreement until after the ratification vote. However, the union has emphasized that the deal addresses the core concerns raised by workers.
