It’s still unclear when an ongoing dispute between a local union and Burnaby hotel will be settled.
Last month, Unite Here Local 40 said workers that were allegedly locked out in April of 2021 had rejected Hilton Metrotown’s latest offer of binding arbitration.
In an April 19, 2022, memo addressed to colleagues, Hilton Metrotown general manager Scott de Savoye said they are “ready, willing and committed” to meet with the committee at any time, but he added “it does take two sides to negotiate.” The hotel claims the union cancelled meetings scheduled for the second week of March this year.
The letter once again reiterated the hotel’s position of workers being on strike and not actually locked out. de Savoye said employees are free to return to work at any time and it is their right to do so.
“If you choose to return to work there are no pre-conditions,” he said.
“Your employment will be under the very same terms as before the strike. Your wages, benefits and pension remain unchanged, until of course a new collective agreement is ratified.
“We very much look forward to seeing you back at work soon and I personally am excited for the opportunity to learn from you and to lead you to a new and exciting future.”
Unite Here Local 40 spokesperson Stephanie Fung had told the NOW in April that if employees returned to work, it would be conditional and included giving up union health and pension benefits, paid time off and workload protections that protect health and safety.
“That’s an impossible choice for workers,” she said.
The union says the location locked out room attendants, front desk agents, banquet, and kitchen staff on April 16, 2021, after terminating 97 long-term staff, impacting at least 50 workers who live in Burnaby — a move the union called "mass firings" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
When contacted by the NOW on Thursday (May 5), Fung said if the hotel is serious about its position, workers would still be employed.
"Had hotel management valued workers' loyalty and dedication throughout the pandemic, they wouldn’t have fired long-term staff and locked out the rest," she said.
"We expect to return to the bargaining table soon and hope hotel management is prepared to agree to a fair contract that secures workers' full return to work and guarantees safe working conditions."
