BURST
The union representing workers at the iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria has served the company strike notice.
Unifor Local 4276 says that means workers in housekeeping, the front desk, maintenance, banquet events and other departments could be on the picket line as early as 9 a.m. on Saturday.
The potential labour action comes just as B.C. is set to host part of the World Cup soccer next weekend.
“Our members voted clearly for a mandate, and the employer responded with very little movement at the table,” said Unifor president Lana Payne in a statement Wednesday.
“The time to bargain a resolution is right now.”
Postmedia has reached out to the hotel for comment on the potential strike.
Workers voted 99 per cent in favour of a strike on April 1, according to the union.
The union says the employer has failed to address their calls for fair wages, mental health benefits, and protections for gratuity earners.
Unifor represents more than 600 workers at the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
More to come …