Unifor members make significant gains at Hyatt Regency

TORONTO, Oct. 10, 2018 /CNW/ - Unifor Local 7575 members at the Hyatt Regency hotel have voted to ratify a new collective agreement that includes major economic gains and secures good jobs in the industry.

"Unifor's new members in the hospitality industry are seeing tangible benefits of joining an activist union," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "Unifor has proven that we will fight for sector-leading collective agreements."

Over the term of the three-year contract, wages will increase 10.6% (cumulative). Health benefits will improve and the employer has agreed to increase contributions to the pension plan. The union says that an important cornerstone of the new collective agreement is the guarantee that there will be no conversion of the hotel to condominiums.

"Maintaining Toronto's stock of mid-range hotels, and the thousands of good jobs they represent, was a city-wide priority for this round of bargaining," said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director.

Unifor was successful at enshrining a Women's Advocate position in the collective agreement. The contract also includes a mechanism for protecting workers from harassment by guests and introducing alert devices (panic buttons) for room attendants.

"We were able to bargain a reduction in the daily room cleaning assignments, ensuring fewer injuries and more shifts," said Albert Pacis, a room attendant at the Hyatt and member of the bargaining committee.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor