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Staff at the Greenwood Inn and Suites hotel in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, ratified a deal today that boosts their wages and brings fairness to how tips are handled.
“Workers feel this is a fair agreement given the economic challenges of the region. We maintained important benefits, improved our wages and made some key language changes in the 12th hour to give us a stronger voice in the workplace,” said Pat Foote, a member of the bargaining committee for Unifor Local 597.
The 48 Unifor members, including maintenance staff and waitresses, were in a legal strike position Thursday morning, but delayed the strike deadline for 24 hours in hopes of reaching a deal.
After a long day of bargaining, a deal was reached Thursday night that increases wages by $1 and hour over three years (including 30 cents immediately), new language on fair distribution of gratuities and changes to the labour management committee to ensure better attention to ongoing workplace issues.
There were no concessions to health and pension benefits, as well as holiday and sick leave provisions that are the best in the region for the hospitality sector. The deal was quickly ratified by a 75 per cent vote of the members.
The workers had previously voted down two tentative agreements and voted overwhelming to strike if need be. Negotiations had been going on since the spring.
