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Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating effects on the hospitality sector, Unifor Local 112 members made significant gains in several key priority areas identified by members.
Unifor Local 112 members ratified their first contract by 84.6% on April 7.
“I want to thank all members of the bargaining committee for their incredible leadership in these negotiations,” said Scott McIlmoyle, Unifor Local 112 President. “The gains made in this agreement are that much more important given the incredibly difficult and unpredictable economic climate hotel workers face.”
In the contract, key gains were made to pandemic-related recall rights. Recall rights were extended for two years, until March 13, 2022, for workers laid off in the previous year, or 52 weeks after their last day of work in 2021, whichever is longer.
Job security provisions were also significantly improved, including subcontracting protection, unlimited recall rights during renovations, eight weeks’ notice of any closure, and six months of benefits coverage for laid off members.
“Negotiating such strong job security provisions in a first contract is a noteworthy accomplishment,” said John Turner, Unifor Local 112 Vice-President. “This achievement is a testament to effectiveness of our bargaining team and the unity displayed by our members at the Broadview Hotel.”
The contract also establishes a clear mechanism for members to transition from part-time to full-time status, improves gratuities and gratuity distribution across the board, and improves housekeeping workloads. Several provisions for paid time off were improved including vacation, holidays, among others.
Prior to the pandemic, wages varied extensively for Broadview Hotel workers, with wages gaps of more than 10% for those in the same job classification. All workers will now receive the highest wage in their job classification and receive pay increases in each year of the agreement in line with the anticipated post-pandemic economic recovery.
“I’m proud of our members for ratify their first collective agreement. We’re among the union’s newest members in this sector, and bargaining a first contract in the midst of a pandemic was far from straightforward,” said Sarah Tauriello, Unit Chair at the Broadview Hotel. “The results speak for themselves and clearly demonstrate that hotel workers are always better off with the strong union representation.”
Many other substantial improvements were made in negotiations including health and dental benefits, scheduling, shoe allowance, and more. The three-year term of the collective agreement ends in the spring of 2024.
