Tuesday, December 4, 2007 Bargaining continues as community support broadens 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. | 
