The Mixer, November, 2007 Lower Mainland Westin Bayshore, Four Seasons, Renaissance Vancouver, Hyatt Regency More than 1400 workers at these downtown Vancouver hotels reached a historic new collective agreement in September after many months of bargaining that saw workers rallying, marching, sending worker delegations to face management and taking a strike vote. See full story. Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre (Broadway), Vancouver Union president Jim Pearson reports a number of very difficult situations have arisen at the Holiday Inn during this round of bargaining for a new collective agreement for workers whose contract expired in June of this year. “Bargaining has been seriously affected by management’s efforts to create turmoil and distraction,” said Pearson. “This employer has been attempting to keep the union’s committee members from entering the property and are trying to influence their employees by demanding one-on-one meetings. It’s been very distressing for the members to watch this employer try to use third world tactics to try and prevent them from bargaining a fair and reasonable collective agreement,” he said. The employer’s antics have caused the bargaining team to be faced with long delays and little movement in negotiations – but they remain galvanized and are sticking together with strong determination, seeking to secure the gains they deserve - increased wages, improved contract language, better benefits and fair working conditions. Members are being kept informed of the progress of negotiations, or lack thereof, and efforts are underway to continue to increase the pressure on this employer to fairly negotiate a new agreement for these determined and faithful workers. Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel, Richmond Hotel workers at this corporate hotel property located near the Vancouver International Airport have been in negotiations for a new collective agreement since September after their contract expired in June of this year. They are seeking the same gains as what has recently been achieved by hotel workers in downtown Vancouver - wage increases, improved contract language and gains to their health benefit packages in a three year agreement. “These hotel workers do the same work as their union brothers and sisters in Vancouver and deserve the same contract,” says lead negotiator and union president Jim Pearson. Many workers at this property are actively engaged in negotiations and have signed up to participate on the bargaining team. Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, Burnaby Union president and lead negotiator Jim Pearson reports talks at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown are progressing after workers at this popular central Burnaby four-diamond hotel saw their contract expire in May of this year. “Hotel workers at the Hilton are seeking parity with their counterparts in Vancouver,” said Pearson. “Our members at this property deserve the same first class agreement as the Vancouver workers, and we are determined to achieve that goal.” Wages and health care improvements are some of the key demands on the table in this round of bargaining. Members from all departments are fully participating on the bargaining team as these talks continue. Marine Drive Golf Club, Vancouver Clubhouse workers at the Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver recently ratified a new three year 3 year agreement that features wage increases and improvements to the health & welfare plan. Union Rep Jim Kosmack thanks the members for their participation in this round of bargaining at this long standing Local 40 property. BC Hydro Dunsmuir & Edmonds Local 40 members working in food service under a Compass contract at the BC Hydro offices in Vancouver and Burnaby recently concluded their negotiations with the assistance of mediator Brian Foley. Members ratified a new three-year agreement that features wage increases and improvements to the health plan including the introduction of a long term disability benefit package. Members also secured a Prescription Drug Card that allows prescription medications to be paid directly by their benefit plan, eliminating the need to pay up front and then get reimbursement for costs. Evelyne Saller Centre, Vancouver Members working under a food service contract with Aramark at this downtown eastside Vancouver community facility recently ratified a new agreement after difficult bargaining took place throughout the fall. After rejecting the employer’s first offer and voting by a margin of 87.5% in favour of strike action, both sides returned to the bargaining table and hammered out an agreement that members ratified in early November. Union Rep Jim Kosmack would like to thank Anne Davey and Eric Boutilier for their input and assistance in these difficult negotiations. Vancouver Island Nanaimo Seniors Centre, Nanaimo UNITE HERE Local 40 members working in food service at the Nanaimo Seniors Centre in Nanaimo recently ratified a new agreement with wage increases in each of the three years of the contract. Members worked to secure improvements to their health care plan and achieved a first time long term disability benefit package as well as the Prescription Drug Card that allows prescription medications to be paid directly by their benefit plan. Union Rep Jim Kosmack would like to thank Steve Collingwood, Natalie Maida and Brent Arlett for their commitment to the membership. | 
