The labour impasse between the Coast Bastion Hotel and Unite Here Local 40 union workers officially ended on Tuesday with approval of a three-year deal.
The two sides struck a tentative agreement Dec. 14, pending the aforementioned union membership ratification, and the deal will see workers getting an eight-per cent wage increase over the length of the contract with “improvements to pensions and medical benefits, provisions to reduce housekeepers’ workloads, sick day increases and severance protection, among other improvements,” according to a press release.
The union previously told the News Bulletin it sought a wage hike to match the increase in cost of living and had concerns about housekeeping staff workload. The hotel said it sought a deal that would see workers making a good wage, but that would also ensure the company remain profitable.
Octavian Cadabeschi, Unite Here Local 40 spokesman, told the News Bulletin that the union bargaining committee was “quite happy” with the deal, while Linda Hagen, Coast Hotels spokeswoman, said the hotel chain was “absolutely delighted.”
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“We are proud to have finalized this agreement which meets our joint objective of providing a fair compensation increase for hotel ambassadors ensuring the continued sustainability of our hotels,” said Kelli Steer, vice-president of hotel operations at Coast Hotels. “We would like to commend everyone involved in these contract negotiations for their hard work and dedication in concluding this agreement at the bargaining table and are now looking forward to getting back to the business of providing the superb guest experience Coast Hotels is known for.”
The union went on a one-day strike on Dec. 7, after previously issuing 72-hour strike notice, while the hotel applied for 72-hour lockout notice prior to emergency mediation that took place Dec. 13-14. A deal was reached at 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 14.
In addition to workers at the Nanaimo hotel, the contract also applies to workers at Coast Hotels in Victoria and Prince George, B.C. – approximately 300 workers in total, the press release said.
The deal also applies to workers at Minnoz Restaurant and Lounge located in the Coast Bastion.
reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
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